Therapeutic sports towel

• US 20050271857A1
• Filed: 06/02/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David A. Marini, Lee Richard Brody, Michael E. Brody
• Original Assignee: David A. Marini, Lee Richard Brody, Michael E. Brody
• Inventors: Marini, David A., Brody, Michael E., Brody, Lee Richard
• Granted Patent: US 8,083,652 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/78
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/103 refillable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/006 for stretching exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00043 Exercising devices consisting of a pair of user interfaces connected by flexible elements, e.g. two handles connected by elastic bands skipping ropes A63B5/20; resilient elements A63B21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0555 Details of the rope or band, e.g. shape or colour coding
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4007 to the chest region, e.g. to the back chest
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 55/408 Releasably mounted accessories fitted outside the bag, e.g. straps or holders A63B55/20 and A63B55/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/60 Cleaning or maintenance of golf clubs, putters, shoes or other golf accessories cleaning balls A63B47/04; devices for cleaning handles or grips of golf clubs or putters A63B60/36

Abstract

The invention is a therapeutic sports towel that integrates the features of a sports towel and a stretching device into a single device that incorporates the desired properties of the two. The therapeutic sports towel is thus absorbent and convenient to carry on a golf bag or drape over a shoulder, while also having the appropriate resistance and recoil properties for therapeutic stretching. Further, the combination of a towel material with a stretchable material ensures that the therapeutic stretching has a predetermined maximum length, to prevent the overstretching that is commonly associated with therapeutic stretching bands and so forth. Various embodiments of the invention include one or more pockets for holding ice or ice packs, such that the ice or ice packs may be retained in place against sore or pulled muscles by tying or fastening the therapeutic towel appropriately around the body or a body appendage. Further, the therapeutic sports towel may include straps that are encased in end pockets, such that the straps can be revealed as necessary for use in particular exercises.

Claims

1. An exercise towel, comprising:

an absorbent towel material having an original form and a stretched form; and

a stretching material disposed within the absorbent towel material, the stretching material being adapted to provide a sufficient resistance for performing stretching exercises with the towel, and to return the towel to its original form after stretching.

2. The exercise towel as in claim 1, wherein the towel has first and second distal ends, and further comprises:

at least one strap on at least one of the distal ends.

3. The exercise towel as in claim 2, further comprising:

an end pocket for each strap on the corresponding end of the towel, the pocket closing to enclose the strap, and opening and inverting to the reveal the strap.

4. The exercise towel as in claim 3, further comprising:

a closure system to retain the strap in the pocket.

5. The exercise towel as in claim 4, further comprising:

a security pocket on the inside of the end pocket, the security pocket having a closure system that operates independently of the closure system of the strap pocket.

6. The exercise towel as in claim 4, wherein the closure system is a zipper

7. The exercise towel as in claim 3, further comprising:

a waterproof material disposed within the end pocket.

8. The exercise towel as in claim 3, wherein the end pocket is adapted to carry ice.

9. The exercise towel as in claim 1, wherein the towel has first and second distal ends, further comprising:

at least one fastener on at least one of the first and second ends.

10. The exercise towel as in claim 9, further comprising:

at least one additional fastener located between the two ends.

11. The exercise towel as in claim 10, wherein the location of the at least one fastener located between the two ends is adjustable.

12. The exercise towel as in claim 11, further comprising:

a channel disposed within the towel, wherein the at least one adjustable fastener moves within the channel.

13. The exercise towel as in claim 1, wherein the absorbent material is a cotton terry.

14. The exercise towel as in claim 1, wherein the stretching material is a blend of spandex and nylon.

15. An exercise towel, comprising:

an absorbent towel material;

at least one channel disposed within the towel; and

a stretching material disposed within the at least one channel.

16. The exercise towel as in claim 15, further comprising:

at least one stretch band as the stretching material.

17. The exercise towel as in claim 15, wherein the stretching material is removable.

18. The exercise towel as in claim 15, further comprising:

one or more handles affixed to distal ends of the stretching material.

19. The exercise towel as in claim 18, further comprising:

a pocket for each of the one or more handles, the pocket closing to enclose the handle, and opening to the reveal the handle.

20. A method for making an exercise towel, comprising:

providing an absorbent towel material having an original form and a stretched form; and

providing a stretching material disposed within the absorbent towel material adapted to return the towel to its original form, increase a strength of the towel, and provide a measure of resistance for stretching the towel.