US20220117334A1

US20220117334A1 - Wearable towel foldable into a backpack

Info

Publication number: US20220117334A1
Application number: US17/502,433
Authority: US
Inventors: Deanne Hansen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-10-16
Filing date: 2021-10-15
Publication date: 2022-04-21

Abstract

A beach or swim towel that can also operate as a backpack and that can also be worn to provide free arm mobility and other advantages to the wearer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/092,901, filed Oct. 16, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates generally to a towel that can be folded into a backpack. More particularly, it relates to a wearable beach or swim towel with a hood into which the towel can be folded and which becomes a backpack.

BACKGROUND

When going to the beach or a swimming pool, it is usually necessary to bring several items, for example, a towel, sunscreen, snacks, etc. Although some of these items can be transported in a bag, towels and other apparel can often be too large to fit into a small bag or a backpack. Moreover, after a day at the beach of the swimming pool, when an individual wraps a traditional beach towel or a swimming towel around himself or herself, the individual's movement or ability to carry other objects can be significantly limited because the individual must ensure that the towel is secured to his or her body. Furthermore, when draped across the individual's body or wrapped around the individual's waist, a beach towel or swimming towel can leave the individual's arms and other body parts exposed to the elements (e.g., cold, sun). These problems are further exacerbated when the individual is a small child.
A need therefore exists to develop a beach or swim towel that can also operate as a backpack and that can also be worn in different modes of wear (e.g., as a cape, as a robe, as a hooded towel, etc.) to provide free arm mobility and other advantages to the wearer.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are embodiments of a beach or swim towel that can also operate as a backpack and that can also be worn to provide free arm mobility and other advantages to the wearer.
In some embodiments, the wearable towel may generally include a hood, a body having a back, a front left flap, and a front right flap. In some embodiments, the back of the hood may include two straps that may operate as carrying straps when the hood operates as a backpack. In some embodiments, the interior side of each right and left flap may include an arm pocket or sleeve, and a corner triangle hand grip.
In some applications, the body of the wearable towel may be folded into the hood such that the hood operates as a backpack holding the towel. A user can wear the backpack using the two straps on the hood, which now operates as the backpack.
In some embodiments, the right and left flaps of the wearable towel may include fastening mechanism, for example, snap clips, buttons, etc.
In some embodiments, the outer side of the hood of the wearable towel may include a graphic design.
Other components, systems, methods, features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional components, systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the subject matter described herein, and be protected by the accompanying claims. In no way should the features of the example embodiments be construed as limiting the appended claims, absent express recitation of those features in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The details of the subject matter set forth herein, both as to its structure and operation, may be apparent by study of the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the subject matter. Moreover, all illustrations are intended to convey concepts, where relative sizes, shapes and other detailed attributes may be illustrated schematically rather than literally or precisely.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate an exemplary front (or inside, or interior side) view of a wearable towel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 1C-1D illustrate exemplary views of a wearable towel as worn by a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary view of a wearable towel as worn by a user and being fastened into a robe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2B-2C illustrate an exemplary view of another wearable towel as worn by a user and being fastened into a robe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2D illustrates another exemplary view of a wearable towel as worn by a user and being wrapped around the user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an exemplary back (or outside, or exterior side) view of a wearable towel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-1 to 4A-5 and 4B1 to 4B3 illustrate exemplary steps for folding the towel into a backpack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrates illustrate exemplary applications where a wearable towel is worn by a user as a backpack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary graphic arts and material that may be used for a wearable towel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A to 8E are diagrams illustrating different modes of wear for an example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRTIPION

Before the present subject matter is described in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.
FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate exemplary embodiments and front (or inside, or interior side) view of the wearable towel 100 of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the wearable towel 100 may include a body 110 and a hood 120. The body 100 may include a left flap portion 112 and a right flap portion 114. According to one aspect of the embodiments, the flap portions can comprise a unitary construction, as shown in FIG. 1B. In other embodiments, each flap portion 112, 114 can comprise a separate piece of fabric, for example, with one or more fasteners connecting them. In some embodiments, each flap 112, 114 includes a corner hand grip 140, 142 respectively, which may be constructed as an open pocket. As shown in the figures, the corner hand grips 140, 142 may be located at an upper corner of body 110, where an upper edge meets a side edge. In some embodiments, the corner hand grips 140, 142 may have a triangle shape, matching the corner of the edges. However, the corner hand grips 140, 142 may also have a different shape. As shown in FIG. 1C and 1D, when the wearable towel is worn by a user, the user can insert her hands in the corner hand grips 140, 142, for example to hold and/or secure the body 110. See also FIG. 2D, where the user may also wrap the towel 100 around her body.
In some embodiments, the front (or inside, or interior) side of the body 110 may also include two elongated, open- end pockets 130 and 132, each located in proximity to the upper portion of the flaps 112 and 114 respectively. As shown in FIG. 1C and 1D, when the wearable towel is worn by a user, the user can insert her arms into the pockets 130 and 132. In this application, the pockets 130 and 132 may operate as arm sleeves.
In some embodiments, the front (or inside, or interior) side of the body 110 may also include a pocket 150. The pocket 150 may be sized to be used to store items such as pool toy(s), swimming accessories (e.g., hats, goggles, sunglasses, etc.), etc.
In some embodiments, the body 110 may also include fastening mechanism 160, 162. For example, the fastening mechanism may include buttons 160 located along the edge of flaps 112 and 114, and corresponding buttonholes 162 located toward the center of the body 110. In some embodiments, the buttonholes 162 may be located on loops (e.g., similar to belt loops). In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism may also be or may include snap clips, or any other suitable fastening devices. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the wearable towel is worn by a user, the user can fasten the front of the towel, with the flaps 112 and 114 overlapping. FIG. 2A illustrates how the wearable towel may be worn by a user and being fastened into a robe.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the locations of the fastening mechanism may allow the wearable towel to be fastened such that it does not hinder or prevent the wearer from walking or running.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2B-2C, the fastening mechanism may be located at the edge of the flaps 112 and 114.
In some embodiments, the wearable towel may be sized such that the user can put on the towel (as shown in FIGS. 1C-1D and 2A-2B) while wearing her life preserves or arm floaties, and also still able to put the hood on, grab the triangle corners and wrap up on her own.
FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate exemplary embodiments and back (or outside, or exterior side) view of the wearable towel 100 of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the wearable towel 100 may include straps 210 and 212 located on the back of the hood 120. In some applications, the straps 210 and 212 may operate as backpack straps, as shown in FIGS. 5-6 below. In some embodiments, the wearable towel 100 may include a fastening mechanism 220, for example a button or a snap button. FIG. 3C illustrates the wearable towel 100 being worn by a user, as seen from the back.
In some embodiments, the straps 210 and 212 may be adjustable. In some embodiments, the straps 210 and 212 may not be adjustable.
In some embodiments, the wearable towel 100 may be folded into a backpack. FIGS. 4A-1 to 4A-5 are diagrams illustrating exemplary steps for folding the towel into a backpack. FIGS. 4B1 and 4B2 are photographs depicting similar steps. At the steps shown in FIG. 4A-1 and FIG. 4B1-(1), the wearable towel 100 may be laid down with the front (interior side) showing. The wearable towel 100 may then be folded upwardly from the bottom of the body 110, along horizontal line A, as shown in FIG. 4B1-(2). At the step shown in FIG. 4A-2 and 4B1-(3), the folded body 110 may then be folded inwardly along vertical lines B and C. At step shown in FIG. 4A-3 and FIG. 4B2-(4), the folded body 110 may further be folded inwardly along vertical lines D and E. At the step shown in FIG. 4A-4 and FIG. 4B2-(5), the folded body 110 may further be folded upwardly along horizontal line F. At the step shown in FIG. 4A-5 and FIG. 4B3-(6), the folded body 110 may then be tucked into the hood 120. In some embodiments, a fastening mechanism (e.g., button) 220-A may then be fastened to a corresponding fastening member 220-B (e.g., a buttonhole or snap button). The folding is complete at this time, with FIG. 4B3 showing the front and back of the folded wearable towel 100.
FIGS. 5-6 illustrate exemplary applications where the wearable towel 100 is worn by a user as a backpack, e.g., after being folded as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B1-4B2. As shown, the wearable towel may be worn as a handsfree backpack. The benefits for the user may include at least being able to carry the towel handsfree, or carry more items, or carry another bag.
FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary graphic arts and material that may be used for the wearable towel of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the wearable towel may be constructed of a plush microfiber cloth which is highly absorbent while also being quick drying. The wearable towel may also include or be made of other suitable material (e.g., 100% cotton, etc.). In some embodiments, the straps may be made of different material from the material of the towel body.
FIGS. 8A to 8E are diagrams illustrating different modes of wear for an example embodiment of the present disclosure. According to an aspect of the embodiments, wearable towel 100 can be configured to be worn by a user in different modes of wear. The different modes of wear can be enabled by use of a plurality of fasteners, which are shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E as elements B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4. The precise number and placement of fasteners, as depicted in FIGS. 8A to 8E, are shown for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting. Those of skill in the art will recognize, for example, that either more or fewer fasteners can be employed with wearable towel 100.
FIG. 8A is a diagram showing wearable towel 100 worn in a wing mode, wherein a user inserts their arms through the elongated, open- end pockets 130 and 132. According to another aspect of the embodiments, the user can engage each hand with a corresponding corner hand grip 140, 142. The hood 120 can worn either up or down.
FIG. 8B is a diagram showing wearable towel 100 worn in a wings-to-body wrap (or robe) mode. In the wings-to-body wrap (or robe) mode, the user inserts their arms through open- end pockets 130 and 132, as described above, and the user can engage each hand with a corresponding corner hand grip 140, 142. In addition, according to some embodiments, fastener pairs Y3-Y4 and B5-B6 can be respectively coupled to transform wearable towel 100 into a body wrap or robe 100-B, as shown in the right portion of FIG. 8B.
FIG. 8C is a diagram showing wearable towel 100-C in a cape mode. According to one aspect of the embodiments, cape mode can be enabled by coupling fastener pairs Y1-Y2 and B1-B2, respectively. FIG. 8D is a diagram showing wearable towel 100-D in a hooded towel mode. According to an aspect of the embodiments, wearable towel 100-D can be worn as a hooded towel by simply placing hood on the user's head and wrapping up. FIG. 8E is a diagram showing wearable towel 100-E in a cape-to-full body mode. According to an aspect of the embodiments, cape-to-full body mode can be enabled by coupling fastener pairs Y2-Y4 and B5-B6, respectively.
While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications and equivalents are intended to be covered.
As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” or “includes” means “including, but not limited to,” or “includes, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted.
As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.
The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.
It should be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, that combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the following description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. In many instances, entities are described herein as being coupled to other entities. It should be understood that the terms “coupled” and “connected” (or any of their forms) are used interchangeably herein and, in both cases, are generic to the direct coupling of two entities (without any non-negligible (e.g., parasitic) intervening entities) and the indirect coupling of two entities (with one or more non-negligible intervening entities). Where entities are shown as being directly coupled together, or described as coupled together without description of any intervening entity, it should be understood that those entities can be indirectly coupled together as well unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wearable towel having a front or interior side and a back or exterior side, comprising:

a hood, wherein the hood comprises a plurality of straps located on the exterior side of the hood;

a body connected to the hood, wherein the body comprises a right flap and a left flap, wherein each of the right flap and the left flap comprises:

a corner hand grip located on the interior side and at a corresponding upper corner of a corresponding flap;

an elongated, open-end pocket located on the interior side and in proximity to a corresponding upper portion of the corresponding flap; and

a first portion of a first fastening mechanism located on the interior and in an approximate center of the body such that when the body is folded into an interior space of the hood, the first portion of a fastening mechanism is releasably fastenable to a second portion of the first fastening mechanism.

2. The wearable towel of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a second fastening mechanism having a first portion located along an edge of the right flap and the left flap, and a second portion located in the center of the body such that when the first portion is fastened to the second portion a bottom edge of the wearable towel is lifted upwardly.

3. The wearable towel of claim 1, wherein the corner hand grip comprises an open end, wherein the open end of the corner hand grip is configured to receive a user's entire hand.

4. The wearable towel of claim 1, further comprising a pocket located on the interior and in the approximate center of the body.