PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a towel or beach wrap holding device for the specific purpose
of holding and maintaining a towel extended on the ground. This device is especially
applicable for maintaining a beach towel extended, which is logically laid over sand,
at the park or any other place the user wishes to lay the towel without worrying about
the towel folding on itself as frequently occurs.
[0002] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device that in addition to offering
a great beach towel extending performance on the ground it minimizes the risk of accident
caused by bare foot contact with the device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Fact is that towels laid over beach sand for users to rest upon are sometimes retracted
by the wind or by bumping in to them or by the users own movements and therefore,
preventing them from remaining completely extended, which causes an inconvenience
for the user; this can also occur when extending towels in parks, pools, etc.
[0004] Additionally, when it's windy and a towel is left alone, the best case scenario is
that the towel will probably fold or be blown from its location.
[0005] To solve this problem, Spanish Utility Module
U 8901765 describes a towel holder obtained from a single plastic piece delimited by two articulated
lever arms, which comprises two clamps with a spring in-line with the arms of each
clamp, which is used for maintaining it closed and applying pressure to the towel
that wants to be held. The clamp is complemented by an elongated round rod that is
pointed at one of its ends so that can be driven into the ground at the beach or grass
wherever the towel is going to be laid in such a way, so that using several holding
devices like the one described, a towel can be maintained extended even when a person
is not laying on top of it, remaining in that position even when the user moves, it
is windy, etc.
[0006] The disadvantage of this device is that the holding elements that make up the clamps
extent over the sand or grass and since they are rigid, may present a tripping hazard
and cause undesired accidents, which occurs frequently due to the fact that beach
and pool users are usually barefoot.
[0007] On the other hand, the fixing of the towel is not as efficient as would be desired
because the holding elements or clamps are opened quickly and easily when the spring
tension is overpowered, which may occur inadvertently by accident due to multiple
reasons. Also, a round shaped rod does not guarantee a good hold in the sand.
[0008] Document
WO 2006/079140 discloses a towel holder having all the characteristics of the preamble of claim
1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention is defined by the towel holder of claim 1.
[0010] The device that is recommended has been designed to solve the above mentioned problem
in a way that provided with the means for holding and maintaining a towel extended
in its laying place, and based on an element or rod driven into the ground and a holding
element for the corners and edges of the towel, presents the particularity that the
holding or tensioning elements, instead of being comprised of simple clamps aided
by tension springs, are comprised in each case of a clip delimited by two plates shaped
like a trapezoid or other shape associated in an articulated way through one of its
edges, whose plates incorporate alternate means for fastening comprised of a thin
fin from one of the plates; specifically one of its free ends opposite the hinges,
whose fin incorporates a pair of teeth or protrusions between which a sort of protruding
heel is fastened that has the other plate on one of its edges and in this way providing
a means for interlocking the closure and overlapping of both plates for holding one
of the towel corners or edges; with the particularity that its rough facing side incorporates
convex protrusions and the other plate incorporates concave indentations that facilitate
fastening the towel without damaging it.
[0011] One of the two plates that make up the holding device; specifically the one opposite
the one that has the interlocking fin, has a lateral extension forming an orifice
so that the corresponding rod can pass through it and be driven into the ground.
[0012] Finally say that the two position interlock fin constitutes a sort of lever whose
final section is dedicated for the locking and unlocking movement with respect to
the heel or protrusion present in the other plate.
[0013] This way, a device is achieved that in combination with 3 other analogous devices,
enables to hold and maintain the towel extended on the ground with the particularity
that since it is comprised of two plates that overlap in the closed position, these
constitute a completely flat surface that does not protrude upward from the ground,
which will limit any damage that may occur even when bare feet impact the device since
this is not a device that has protruding edges as occurs with conventional devices.
[0014] Additionally, the fastening effect is more reliable than in the Utility Model referred
to in the Background section because faced with an opening that is involuntary and
without much resistance and since it has the spring, can be carried out in the aforementioned
towel holder Model. Regarding the invention, to open the clip requires it be performed
manually, which grants greater fastening security or a greater fastening effect is
in this way provided by the invention. We must also highlight that the cross shaped
rod provides greater fastening in sand than a round rod.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In order to complement the description that is going to be provided below, and for
the purpose of better understanding the characteristics of this invention, in accordance
with a preferred practical embodiment, a set of drawings are provided along with the
description as an integral part of the description, which represents the following
in an illustrative but not limiting fashion:
Figure 1. - Shows a perspective view of the invention device with the clip in the
open position.
Figure 2. - Shows a perspective view of the locking mechanism of the two plates that
make up the clip corresponding to the invention fastening device.
Figure 3. - Shows a perspective view of the fastening clip in the open position without
a ground fixing rod, with a towel corner in position for being held with the corresponding
clip closure.
Figure 4. - Shows the exact way to fasten the corner of the towel using the clip in
the closed position and a perspective view of the ground driving rod in a position
facing the orifice made in one of the fastening clip plates.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0016] As can be seen in the referred figures, this invention's device constitutes a holder
for maintaining a towel extended at its laying place, which can be a beach towel,
a pool towel, or any other type of blanket or beach wrap used at any area where the
user wishes to lay upon.
[0017] In any case, the device in question is comprised of a clip (1), which holds a corner
or edge of the corresponding towel (2), as can be seen in figures 3 and 4, for which
several devices are required such as the one that is going to be described, for holding
and maintaining the towel (2) extended.
[0018] This clip (1) is comprised of two plates (3 and 4), attached to each other via a
hinge (5) which corresponds to one of its edges, since these plates are polygonal
shaped, without discarding any geometric configuration for them as long as both are
flat and incorporate protrusions or appendices (6) so that when they are overlapped,
the towel (2) remains perfectly held by the clip (1) and its protrusions (6):
One of the two plates that make up the clip (1), specifically number (3) incorporates
an extension (7) with an orifice (8) used for inserting a cross-section rod (9) and
a head (10) used as a stop and has a convex curved surface.
[0019] When the rod (9) passes through the orifice (8) of the clip (1) plate (3), the device
can be driven into the ground and maintained at ground surface level while holding
a towel (2) for example, as can be seen in figure 4 without any part of the device
extending above ground and in this way preventing any type of accident caused by tripping
over or stepping on the device; the body of the device is flat when being used since
the rod (9) is inserted below the ground.
[0020] The clip (1) closure and securing said closure is carried out through the lateral
fin (11) used as a closing lever that emerges from one of the edges of the plate (4),
complemented by a heel (12) that emerges from the corresponding edge of the other
plate, in this case plate (3), so that when both plates are overlapped (3 and 4) and
with the corner or edge of the towel (2) between them, the lever or fin (11) and heel
(12) can be meshed or closed together; for this purpose, the fin or lever (11) incorporates
a pair of teeth or protrusions (13), in between which the heel (12) remains interlocked.
[0021] The described device is easy to use since first off and with complete comfort, one
of the towel (2) edges or corners are pinched between the two plates (3 and 4) of
the clip (1), maintaining the fastening by interlock between the fin or lever (11)
and the heel (12) of both plates (3 and 4) and once the fastening is carried out,
it is laid on the ground and the rod (9) is then driven into the ground after inserting
it through the orifice (8) of the lateral extension (7) of the lower plate (3) as
can be seen in figure 4; this leaves the towel (2) perfectly held and extended with
the aid of several devices as the one described, which as can be observed is carried
out easily, quickly and comfortably while achieving a good fastening efficiency since
the clip (1) closure is maintained, unless it is manually and intentionally released,
with the added advantage that it does not suppose a tripping hazard or a means for
producing injury due to stepping or tripping over it with bare feet since the device
has a flat body which prevents any such type of accident.
[0022] Due to its design, small size and weight, it does not require disassembling of the
towel clip for storage (keep the towel in a bag, etc.)
[0023] Likewise, we must highlight the fact that the described fastening system is perfectly
valid for different towel, blanket or beach wrap thicknesses.
1. Towel holder device that in conjunction with others, can hold and maintain a towel
extended on the ground, wherein said towel holder device comprises a towel edge or
comer holding element and a rod (9), which can be driven into the ground and which
is attached to that holding element, wherein the holding element is comprised of a
clip (1) delimited by two plates (3, 4) attached to each other via a hinge (5) at
one of their edges and between both plates (3, 4) to enable opening or overlapping
them and enabling it to hold a towel or other type of blanket/beach wrap (2) between
them, characterized in that the two plates (3,4) are polygon shaped, and in that one of the plates (3) incorporates a lateral extension (7) with orifice (8) so that
said rod (9) can pass through it, while another of the plate edges has a locking device
which is complementary to the corresponding edge of the other plate for maintaining
the clip (2) closed thus holding the towel (2).
2. Towel holding device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the locking of both holding clip (1) plates is achieved via a fin (11) located on
one of the edges of one of the plates and two protrusions (13) while the corresponding
edge of the opposite plate (4) incorporates a heel (12) that is arranged and locked
between the two protrusions (13) of the fin (11) in the closed position with the two
plates overlapped (3 and 4).
3. Towel holding device in accordance with the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the ground driving rod (9) has a cross-section for optimizing the closure.
4. Towel holding device in accordance with the aforementioned claims, characterized in that plate (3) has protrusions (6) on its rough side and plate (4) has a corresponding
indentation that enhances the fastening of their respective towel (2) edges or corners.
5. Towel holding device in accordance with the aforementioned claims, characterized in that plates (3 and 4) are flat and in the closed position comprise a flat thin body superimposed
on the ground.
1. Badetuchhalter, der zusammen mit weiteren ein Badetuch auf dem Boden ausgebreitet
befestigen und halten kann, wobei der genannte Badetuchhalter ein Befestigungselement
für den Rand oder die Ecken des Badetuchs aufweist und einen Stab (9), der in den
Boden eingetrieben werden kann und an diesem Befestigungselement festgemacht wird,
wobei das Befestigungselement aus einer Klammer (1) besteht, die durch zwei Platten
(3, 4) begrenzt ist, welche durch ein an einem der Ränder und zwischen den beiden
Platten angebrachtes Scharnier (5) miteinander verbunden sind, um ein Öffnen oder
Überlappen zu ermöglichen und die es ermöglicht, ein Badetuch oder eine andere Art
von Decke/Strandtuch (2) zwischen den beiden Platten festzuhalten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die beiden Platten (3, 4) eine vieleckige Form aufweisen und dadurch, dass eine der
Platten (3) eine seitliche Verlängerung (7) aufweist, mit einer Öffnung (8) für den
Durchtritt des entsprechenden Stabs (9), während ein anderer Rand der Platten eine
Sperrvorrichtung aufweist, die komplementär zu dem entsprechenden Rand der anderen
Platte ausgebildet ist, um die Klammer (2) geschlossen zu halten und so das Badetuch
(2) festzuhalten.
2. Badetuchhalter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Sperren der beiden Platten der Befestigungsklammer (1) über einen Flügel (11)
erreicht wird, der an einem der Ränder einer der Platten angebracht ist, und über
zwei Vorsprünge (13), während der entsprechende Rand der gegenüberliegenden Platte
(4) einen Absatz (12) aufweist, der in der geschlossenen Position zwischen den beiden
Vorsprüngen (13) des Flügels (11) zu liegen kommt und einrastet, wobei sich die beiden
Platten (3 und 4) gegenseitig überlappen.
3. Badetuchhalter nach den vorhergehenden Ansprüchen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zum Eintreiben in den Boden vorgesehene Stab (9) einen Querschnitt aufweist,
der dazu dient, den Verschluss zu optimieren.
4. Badetuchhalter nach den vorhergehenden Ansprüchen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Platte (3) auf ihrer rauen Seite Vorsprünge (6) aufweist und die Platte (4) eine
entsprechende Einkerbung aufweist, die die Befestigung der entsprechenden Ränder oder
Ecken des Badetuchs (2) zwischen den Platten verbessert.
5. Badetuchhalter nach den vorhergehenden Ansprüchen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Platten (3 y 4) eben sind und in der geschlossenen Position einen ebenen Körper
geringer Dicke umfassen, der auf dem Boden zu liegen kommt.
1. Dispositif destiné à tenir des serviettes, pouvant tenir, entre autres, et maintenir
une serviette de plage étendue sur le sol, comprenant un élément de fixation du bord
ou des bouts de la serviette de plage et une tige (9), pouvant être fixée au sol ainsi
qu'à à cet élément de fixation, dans lequel l'élément de fixation est composé d'une
attache (1) délimitée par deux plaques (3, 4) unies entre elles à travers une charnière
(5) sur l'un des bords et entre les deux plaques (3, 4), afin de permettre leur ouverture
ou leur superposition et qui permet de fixer une serviette de plage ou tout autre
type de couverture /paréo (2) entre celles-ci, caractérisé en ce que les deux plaques (3, 4) ont une forme polygonale et en ce que l'une des plaques (3) est dotée d'une extension latérale (7) avec un orifice (8)
pour faire passer la tige correspondante (9), tandis que l'autre bord des plaques
possède un dispositif de blocage complémentaire au bord correspondant de l'autre plaque
afin de maintenir l'attache (2) fermée, en fixant ainsi la serviette de plage (2).
2. Dispositif destiné à tenir des serviettes de plage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le blocage des deux plaques de l'attache (1) est obtenu grâce à une ailette (11)
située sur l'un des bords de l'une des plaques et à deux saillies (13), tandis que
le bord correspondant à la plaque opposée (4) incorpore un talon (12) placé et enfermé
entre les deux saillies (13) de l'ailette (11), en position de fermeture avec une
superposition des deux plaques entre elles (3 y 4).
3. Dispositif destiné à tenir des serviettes de plage selon les revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que la tige fixée au sol (9) a une section transversale pour optimiser la fermeture.
4. Dispositif destiné à tenir des serviettes de plage selon les revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que la plaque (3) est dotée de saillies (6) sur sa face rugueuse et la plaque (4) est
dotée d'une entaille qui améliore la fixation entre elles des bords ou des bouts respectifs
de la serviette de plage (2).
5. Dispositif destiné à tenir des serviettes de plage selon les revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que les plaques (3 et 4) sont plates et comprennent, en position de fermeture, un corps
plat et peu épais superposé sur le sol.