US20150150323A1

US20150150323A1 - Wristband Extension Towel

Info

Publication number: US20150150323A1
Application number: US14/613,990
Authority: US
Inventors: Keith Allen Basik
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-18
Filing date: 2015-02-04
Publication date: 2015-06-04

Abstract

The inventive concept is a wristband or sweatband towel combination which is attached to the wrist of a user who is involved in sporting or working activities and who uses the towel for various purposes such as wiping perspiration from various parts of the body of the user. The wristband or sweatband surrounds the wrist and may have a way of releasably attaching the towel in a collapsed or retracted condition against the wristband. The towel can be released and extended from the wristband as needed. Alternatively, the towel can be folded into half or completely into a fully retracted or collapsed position on top of the wristband.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-In-part of application Ser. No. 14/183,475, filed Feb. 18, 2014, which claims the benefit of Application Ser. No. 61/765,819, filed Feb. 18, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mechanism that combines a sweatband or wristband with a towel that allows a person to conveniently remove sweat from the head, neck, face, and other areas of the body, while conducting physical activities, such as running, biking, hiking, lifting, and working.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the technical field of sports accessories. More particularly, the present invention relates to a means to assist in the removal of sweat, while conducting physical activities.
Often when exercising or working indoors or outdoors, a person begins to sweat and endeavors to remove the sweat from their face, forehead or neck regions. Typically, they use a small hand towel (which they carry or place in a pocket), their shirt, or their hand to wipe the sweat.
Unfortunately, carrying a towel or placing a towel nearby becomes inconvenient, particularly if the activity the individual is involved is physical in nature or requires a good deal of movement or changing of position. Also, many view placing the towel on the ground or on a piece of equipment as being unsanitary.
In addition, other devices, such as a standard sweatband or headband, are unable to conform to or be utilized around the head, neck, face, and hand regions; thus, they are limited in their effectiveness and utility. They also have two other problems: first, they lack the capacity to absorb large amounts of sweat as compared to a hand towel; and second, they address the absorption of sweat solely at the forehead and wrist locations. Sweat above or below those specific points will remain on the body until, and if, it moves specifically to those devices. Due to these limitations, many people carry towels or place them in a location close by to wipe excess sweat.
There also exists a wrist towel design that is approximately twice the size of a standard sweatband. As with a standard sweatband, the wrist towel remains stationary on the wrist. This design does not allow conformity to the face, neck or other regions to adequately wipe sweat from those areas. Also, due to the surface area it covers on the arm, the wrist towel, itself, becomes an added source of heat and perspiration.
There are two additional devices worth noting. The first device is the “Towel for Athletic Activities,” as described in Patent Application 2008/0104739. This device is seemingly placed at the bicep area and extends out to provide a means to remove sweat from the face region. This device is limited in the areas it can remove sweat from and also restricts the user's motion and activity while removing the sweat. The second device is the “Universal Sports Towel,” as described in Patent Application 2005/0102727. This device is a full-to-half length body garment that the user places over the head and covers the body in a shawl or poncho fashion. It, too, was designed to absorb sweat while conducting physical activity and avoid the problem of carrying a towel. It, however, is not practical for most activities due to its bulkiness and weight.
Accordingly, what is needed to address this problem is a towel that is conveniently available to the user, light weight, practical, does not inhibit movement, and has the flexibility to remove sweat from the main areas of concern (forehead, face, neck, and hand) of a user, while conducting physical activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a towel and a mechanism to conveniently carry the towel in order to remove sweat from the head, neck, face, and other areas of the body, while conducting physical activities, such as running, biking, hiking, lifting, and working.
This inventive concept allows a user to thoroughly wipe various areas of the body, in a convenient and unobtrusive manner, so not to inhibit or affect the user's activity. In addition, it is believed that the uniqueness of the manner in which the towel deploys and retracts, as well as how it connects to the wristband or sweatband makes this invention new and non-obvious.
The present invention consists of three main elements that are integrated to enable the user to conveniently wipe or remove sweat from various areas, such as the forehead, neck, hand, and face, while conducting physical activities indoors or outdoors. The three integrated elements are a sweatband or wristband (which terms should be construed interchangeably herein), a releasable closure mechanism, and a towel element.
In the preferred embodiments, a towel element is affixed or attached to and extends from the bottom portion of a sweatband located at the wrist region. The towel is held in a folded and secured posture, by way of an elastic band, under the wrist.
Once the user wishes to wipe their sweat, they pull forward the elastic band, which is positioned over the towel and underneath the wrist, with the opposite hand. Once the elastic band is pulled forward, the user pulls or flips the top portion of the folded towel, which is secured by a small strip of a hook and loop (Velcro™) strip or similar type of material. The slight pulling motion would release the towel from its folded position and bring it to its full-length position (approximately 6 to 10 inches), laying flat across the palm and extending to or beyond the fingertip region.
The user, then, removes the sweat using the towel located on the palm of their hand. Upon completion, the user quickly retracts the towel back to wrist region via a series of folds accommodated by a stitch/fold line, a hook-and-loop connection point and the repositioning of the elastic band. Both the deploying and retracting of the towel can be conducted easily while running and within a matter of 1 to 3 seconds.
Finally, if the towel is fully detachable from the sweatband or wristband, and there is a desire to either wash or replace the towel, the towel can be easily separated by pulling against the detachable fastening system that connects the towel to the sweatband or wrist element.
Although the initial application envisioned the present invention's use in the field of sports, given the ease of use, the portability, and the issue it resolves, the invention's application can extend into many other activities, both indoor and outdoor, that require the management of sweat and perspiration.
In alternative embodiments, the towel may be held in a folded and secured position by corresponding releasably interengageable magnetic components located respectively on the wristband and towel. In such versions, a tab, loop or strap may be attached to the towel to aid the user in pulling the towel forward. A small amount of force may be used to pull the tab, which will cause the interengaged magnetic components to release thereby allowing the towel to unfold and extend across the hand of the user so that the towel may be conveniently used to remove perspiration from the user's body. After the towel is used in this manner, it may be re-folded and the corresponding magnetic components re-engaged with one another to secure the towel to the wristband. Alternative fasteners such as hook and loop and snap fasteners may be substituted for the magnet components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the top view of a preferred version the device in the folded position on the wrist.

FIG. 2 is the underside view of the device of FIG. 1 in the folded position on the wrist.

FIG. 3 is the underside view of the device of FIG. 1 with the elastic band pulled forward.

FIG. 4 is the top view of the device of FIG. 1 with the towel fully extended.

FIG. 5 is the underside view of the device of FIG. 1 with the towel fully extended.

FIG. 6 is the top view (not showing the hand) of the device of FIG. 1 with the towel fully extended.

FIG. 7 is the underside view (not showing the hand) with the towel fully extended.

FIG. 8 is the underside view with the towel in the first folded position.

FIG. 9 is the underside view with the towel returned to the fully folded position with elastic band securing it.

FIG. 10 is the top view of an alternative device utilizing hook-and-loop tabs to secure towel in lieu of an elastic band.

FIG. 11 is the top view of the device, filly extended, utilizing hook-and-loop tabs.

FIG. 12 is the top view of the towel in a detachable mode.

FIG. 13 is the bottom view of the sweatband with a hook-and-loop strip to allow attachment to the towel.

FIG. 14 is a wristband with a hook-and-loop strip to allow attachment to the towel.

FIG. 15 is a top view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the device using magnetic components to secure the towel to the wristband in a folded condition.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 15 with the towel in the folded position on the wristband.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the device of FIG. 15 attached to the user's wrist with the towel fully extended over the palm of the user's hand.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the device of FIG. 15 (not showing the user's hand) with the towel fully extended.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 15 with the towel fully extended.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 15 not showing the user's hand and with the towel in the first folded half position

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 thru 9, shows the wristband extension towel that incorporates a sweatband type of wristband. This embodiment consists of three elements:
The first element is a sweatband 20 (FIG. 1), which can be made of terry cloth, microfiber or any other similar and absorbent material. It should be produced in a tubular form that can be slipped over the hand of a user and then onto the wrist, similar to a standard sweatband. Again, in this version and in other embodiments of this invention, the sweatband should be considered a type of wristband and alternative wristbands, which are technically not sweatbands may be utilized.
The second element consists of a releasable closure comprising an elastic band 21, as depicted in FIG. 1 thru FIG. 6. The elastic band 21, may or may not have an identification tag 22 incorporated into it, and can be made of various forms of elastic, vinyl, leather or similar type of material. It is attached to the sweatband on the topside of the sweatband in the region of the identification tab 22, per FIG. 4, and wraps over or stretches across the towel element 30, per FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 3 show the elastic band pulled resiliently forward off the towel.
The third element is the towel portion 30, which is affixed to the sweatband 20 by stitching, weaving or an adhesive or attached via Velcro ^TMlocated at the base of the backside (non-wiping surface) of the towel in FIG. 7. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate the towel in the fully folded position and FIG. 4 thru FIG. 7 illustrate the towel in the fully extended position. FIG. 4 also depicts a finger holder 31 that helps to secure the towel to the hand, as well as a stitch/fold line 32 that aids in the folding of the towel back to the wrist region. The stitch/fold line, which is optional, assists the user in folding the towel in half. FIG. 5 also shows the stitch/fold line 32, the elastic band 21 underneath the towel, and a hook-and-loop element that helps to secure the towel to the sweatband prior to the elastic band 21 being returned to its original position over the towel.
FIG. 6 thru FIG. 9 illustrate the folding procedures from the fully extended towel position (FIG. 6) to the fully retracted position (FIG. 9). FIG. 6 is the non-wiping side of the towel and has a finger holder 31, approximately 1 to 2 inches in length, and a hook-and-loop strip 33, as well as a stitch/fold line 32. FIG. 7 depicts the wiping side of the towel, along with the stitch/fold line 32 and hook-and-loop strip 23.
FIG. 8 illustrates the towel position after the first fold and the lining up of the hook-and- loop strips 33 and 23 that assist in securing the towel back to the sweatband. The strips are approximately 1 inch to 2 inches in length.
FIG. 9 demonstrates the fully retracted or collapsed position of the towel under the wrist, as well as the elastic band being repositioned over the towel to secure it tightly to the wrist.
FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative extension towel device with two hook-and-loop securing elements comprising tabs 25 (a) and 25 (b), or similar type of fastening tabs, that replace the elastic band as prescribed in the preferred embodiment. These tabs 25 (a) and 25 (b) secure the towel 30 by connecting to complementary securing elements comprising hook-and-loop strips 35 (a) and 35 (b) when the device is in the folded position.
FIG. 11 shows the device with towel 30 in the fully-extended position, as well as the location of strips 35 (a) and 35 (b) on the towel 30.
FIG. 12 represents the towel 30 in a fully detachable configuration. The device functions the same; however, instead of permanently fastening the towel permanently to the sweatband or wristband by way of stitching or other means, the towel has an added hook-and-loop strip 34 to allow it to connect to either to sweatband 20, with it corresponding hook-and-loop strip 24 (as depicted in FIG. 13), or to a wristband 40 (which is not a sweatband), with it corresponding hook-and-loop strip 41 (as depicted in FIG. 14). It is again noted that the terms “sweatband” and “wristband” can be used and construed interchangeably in each of the embodiments of this invention. As used herein “wristband” should be understood and construed to include all types of sweatbands and other types of wristbands.
In more detail, the towel 20 is approximately 4-6 inches wide and 8-12 inches long. It can be fully integrated into the sweatband portion or separately attached thereto. The towel 20 lies across the palm of the hand and extends from the underside of the wrist to the fingertip region as is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. In the retracted position or folded position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the width across the wrist of a user is approximately 1-3 inches. The dimensions of the towel 20, however, can vary, as well as the dimensions and specific placement of the hook-and-loop fasteners. Similar to the sweatband 20, the towel surface, as well as the whole embodiment, can vary in color, shape, texture and fashion. The towel surface also can provide a means for marketing and advertising. The elastic band in FIGS. 1-9 can also have florescent or reflective elements either stitched or printed into the towel 30, the sweatband 20, or the elastic band 21. Further, the towel 30 can be a coolant towel (using foam, crystals or other material), similar to Froggtoggs, Liquicool, and other similar products or material. The identification tag (optional) can be made of plastic, metal, aluminum, or a variety of similar type of material.
In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-11, the towel 30 is attached or affixed to the sweatband 20 by way of weave, stitch, or similar means or to have the towel fully integrated and part of the sweatband 20, so the two elements function as one. The alternate embodiments shown in FIGS. 12-14 is to have the towel and sweatband, or similar element, as two separate components and to be attached by hook-and-loop or other similar mechanisms, as show in FIGS. 12 through 14, by connecting strip 34 on towel 30 (FIG. 12) to either strip 24 or 41 (FIG. 13 or 14, respectively).
Assuming the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9 is employed, the user will secure the sweatband 20 to the wrist in the fully-retracted (folded) position, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. After placement, the user will begin their activity. Upon perspiring, the user will pull forward and stretch the elastic band 21 located in FIG. 2 to the position indicated in FIG. 3. The user will then pull slightly on the towel 30 in FIG. 3 to release the hook-and-loop strips 23 and 33 (FIG. 8). Upon completion, the towel 30 will open to its fully-extended position, placing the towel 20 across the palm of the hand of the user (FIGS. 4 and 5). The user will then use the towel to wipe the desired areas, using the finger-hold strap 31 (FIG. 4 and FIG. 6) to assist in securing hand to the towel 30. It is important to note that the deployment and retraction of the towel only takes 1 to 3 seconds and can easily be executed on the run or while conducting various activities.
Upon removing sweat from the desired areas, the user will quickly retract the towel by flipping back the top portion of the towel 20, along the stitch/fold line 32, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Once completed, the user will conduct a similar motion to rejoin connection points 23 and 33 (per FIG. 8). This action will place the towel 20 in the fully-retracted (folded) position underneath the wrist. The final step is to relocate the elastic band 21 to the initial start position over the towel 30 to further secure the towel 30 to the wrist (FIGS. 2 and 9). In the case of the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, whereby the hook-and-loop tabs 25 (a) and 25 (b) replace the elastic band 21, the user will connect tabs 25 (a) and (b) to strips 35 (a) and (b), once the towel is folded under the wrist.
As shown in FIGS. 15-20, an alternative preferred embodiment of the wristband extension towel, which incorporates a sweatband 110 and a towel element 120 constructed and attached in a manner analogous to that previously described. This version also features corresponding, releasably interengageable pairs of magnetic closure components 11(a), 12(a) and 11(b), 12(b). Magnetic components 11(a) and (b) are carried by the top or outer surface of the sweatband, as shown in FIGS. 15, 17 and 18; and magnetic components 12(a) and 12(b) are located on the underside or face side of towel element 120, as shown in FIG. 19, when the towel is fully extended or as in FIG. 15 when towel 120 is folded or collapsed. Various means may be utilized for attaching the magnetic components to the sweatband and towel element.
FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate towel 120 in a fully folded or collapsed position. FIG. 16 also depicts a tab or strap 123 at the base of the folded towel 120 that helps the user to flip or pull the towel forward to the unfolded, extended position for use.
FIGS. 17-19 illustrate towel 120 in the fully extended position. In particular, FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the top view of towel 120, whereas FIG. 19 illustrates the underside or wiping side of the towel. FIGS. 17 and 18 also depict a finger hole 121 that helps to secure the towel to the hand as well as an optional stitch/fold line 122 that aids in folding the towel back to the wrist region. The stitch line assists the user in folding towel 120 in half as shown in FIG. 20. FIG. 18 also shows a hook and loop element 125 that secures towel 120 in the folded position prior to employing the magnetic components 11 (a), (b) and 12 (a),(b).
FIGS. 19 and 20 also show the manner in which towel 120 is folded from the fully extended towel position (FIG. 19) to the first folded half position (FIG. 20) wherein hook and loop element 125 connects with hook and loop element 124 carried by the sweatband. The arrow in FIG. 20 reflects the movement from the first folded position to connection of hook and loop elements 124 and 125. This interconnection holds towel 120 in the fully folded condition shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
Towel 120 is attached to sweatband 110 by weaving, stitching or similar means. Alternatively, the towel may be fully and unitarily integrated and part of the sweatband or wristband so the two elements function as one.
Again, in this embodiment, the user secures sweatband 110 to the wrist. The corresponding magnetic closure components 11(a),12(a) and 11(b),12(b) are respectively interengaged to hold towel 120 in the fully retracted or collapsed (folded) position, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. After placement, the user begins their activity. Upon perspiring, the user pulls forward tab 123, FIG. 16, thereby releasing or disconnecting magnetic component 12(a) from corresponding component 11(a) and similarly releasing magnetic component 12(b) from corresponding component 11(b). As a result, towel 120 is unsecured and released from sweatband 110. Towel 120 is pulled open to its unfolded, fully extended position, placing the towel across the palm of the hand of the user, FIG. 19. The user then employs towel 120 to wipe the desired areas using the finger-hold strap 121 (FIG. 17) to assist in securing the hand to towel 120. Again, deployment and retraction of the towel take only 1-3 seconds and can be performed while running or conduction other physical activity.
After wiping sweat from the desired areas, the user is able to quickly retract or collapse the towel by flipping back the top portion of towel 120, long stitch/fold line 122, as illustrated in FIG. 20. Once completed, the user will conduct a similar motion to rejoin the hook and loop connection elements 124 and 125, as shown in FIG. 20. This places towel 120 in the fully folded condition underneath the wrist. Finally, the user presses slightly on towel 120 with the opposite hand to re-connect the corresponding magnetic components 11(a), 12(a) and 11(b),12(b) to secure the folded/collapsed towel in place.
There can be other means of connecting the towel to either the wristband or sweatband, such as by buttons, buckles, clasps, clamps, snaps, tie-downs, adhesive, or other type of fastening mechanism. Also, the manner in which the towel retracts or collapses to the wrist position can be accomplished by other methods other than folding, such as rolling. Furthermore, the placement of the hook-and-loop fasteners, as well as the magnetic components on the towel does not have to strictly adhere to figures presented. In addition, the magnetic components are not restricted to a particular size, composition, shape, strength, number or location. The composition of the towel, as well as the sweatband, can also extend to other materials beyond those previously described, such as cotton, wool, and various synthetics and microfibers. The term sweatband can also mean wristband or other mechanism that can be affixed, attached, or connected to the wrist and allow for the attachment or integration of the towel or related accessories.
It is also envisioned that other items can be attached to the sweatband or wristband , such as an earphone, key, electronic, or phone holders, as well as security/safety lights (for example, Supernova) or other small articles, either by hook-and-loop fasteners or other means, in con_junction with the towel or alone. The sweatband or wristband , as well as the towel and elastic band , may also include florescent reflective stitching or strips to allow visibility at night, such as 3M Scotchlite. Furthermore, the towel may have various straps or pockets in order to hold hand in place while wiping sweat with the towel or to carry objects such keys or money.
In addition, the towel can serve other purposes other than just the wiping of sweat, while conducting physical activities indoors and outdoors. Due to its location under the wrist, the convenience and accessibility allows the towel to be considered for used in other industries and fields, such as, but not limited to, cleaning and medical.
While the present invention has been described and defined in detail by reference to the Preferred Embodiments of the invention, such reference does not imply a limitation of the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modifications, alterations and equivalent in form as may occur to those having ordinary skill and knowledge in the pertinent art. The depicted and described embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.
Although specific features of this invention are shown in some of the drawings and not others, this is for convenience only, as each feature may be combined with any and all of the other features within the scope of this invention.
Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims:

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wristband extension towel device comprising:

a wristband for being worn by a user;

a collapsible towel element connected to said wristband for extending at least partially across the hand of the user; and

a releasable closure assembly for securing said towel element in a collapsed condition against said wristband.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said closure assembly is attached, at least in part, to said wristband.

3. The device of claim 2 in which said closure assembly includes a magnetic component carried by said wristband and a corresponding magnetic component carried by said towel element, said magnetic component and said corresponding magnetic component being interengaged with said towel element in the collapsed condition to secure said towel element against said wristband.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said closure assembly includes complementary hook and loop elements carried by said wristband and said towel element respectively.

5. The device of claim 1 in which said towel element has a tab attached thereto for pulling said towel element out of the collapsed condition and extending said towel element across the user's hand.

6. The device of claim 1 in which said closure assembly includes an elastic band connected to said wristband, said elastic band for being wrapped about said wristband and stretched across said towel collapsed against said wristband to resiliently secure said towel element in the collapsed condition against said wristband.

7. The device of claim 1 in which said closure assembly includes a pair of securing elements carried by said wristband and a complementary pair of securing elements carried by said towel element, said securing elements and complementary securing elements being releasably interengaged with said towel element in the collapsed condition to secure said towel element in the closed condition.

8. The device of claim 1 in which said towel element is permanently connected to said wristband.

9. The device of claim 1 in which said towel element is releasably connected to said wristband.

10. The device of claim 9 in which said towel element and said wristband carry respective, complementary hook and loop fastening elements that are releasably interengaged to connect said towel element to said wristband.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said towel assembly includes a fold line for folding said towel element into a half position to partially collapse said towel element.

12. The device of claim 1 in which said wristband includes a tubular loop fabric.

13. The device of claim 1 in which said towel element is composed of terry cloth.

14. The device of claim 1 in which said towel element is composed of micro fiber.

15. The device of claim 6 in which said elastic band includes at least one of a fluorescent and reflective material.

16. The device of claim 1 in which said towel element includes a coolant substance.

17. The device of claim 1 in which said towel element includes a surface for carrying advertising.

18. The device of claim 6 in which said elastic band is attached to said wristband at opposite ends of said elastic band and wherein said wristband includes a space between said attached opposite ends of said elastic band for supporting an identification tag.

19. The device of claim 1 in which said towel element includes a moisture absorbent material.