Sports accessory

• US 4,698,854 A
• Filed: 04/15/1985
• Issued: 10/13/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philip J. Slimmon
• Original Assignee: First National Bank of Chicago (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Inventors: Slimmon, Philip J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Olds, J. L.
• Application Number:
  US06/723,161
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 2/338, 2/319, 2/311, 2/312, 2/247, 2/DIG. 11, 2/48, 15/222
• US Class Current: 2/338
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0015 Sports garments other than provided for in groups A41D13/0007 - A41D13/088
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2400/424 forming a belt
• CPC Class Codes: A41F 9/002 Free belts
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/02 Towels made of paper A47K10/16; woven fabrics D03D; non-woven fabrics D04H
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 2/913 Chest encircling, e.g. shirt, vest
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 2/92 Garment supporter or retainer having a hook-loop type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24017 Hook or barb

Abstract

A sports accessory which can be used as a towel comprises a sheet of absorbent material which can be folded along lines (6) in a concertina fashion to form an elongate portion. The accessory may be in the form of a belt provided with an end region (1a) having a buckle (2) and, at the other end, a flap (3) which, with the sheet folded into the form of a belt, can be passed through buckle (2) for securing around the waist of a wearer.

In another embodiment, the pleated sheet is permanently secured in the form of an elongate portion, but can be opened out for use as a towel for wiping hands and/or face of a person taking exercise. This embodiment may be used as a belt or may be provided with attachment means for attachment to sports equipment.

Claims

1. A towel-belt comprising:

a folded piece of absorbent material having a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines, said material being folded back and forth along said fold lines to form said towel-belt having two end regions;

means for permanently securing said end regions of said towel-belt to allow said material to partially unfurl and present an increased surface area for use as a towel without dismantling said end regions of said towel-belt; and

complementary fastening means for fastening together said end regions of said towel-belt.

2. A towel-belt as set forth in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises stitching.

3. A towel-belt as set forth in claim 1 further comprising at least one pocket.

4. A towel-belt as set forth in claim 1 wherein said piece of absorbent material is substantially rectangular.

5. A towel-belt as set forth in claim 1 wherein said complementary fastening means comprises a hook and loop, touch and close fastener.

6. A towel-belt comprising:

a folded substantially rectangular piece of absorbent material having a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines, said material being folded back and forth along said fold lines to form said towel-belt having two end regions;

means for permanently securing said end regions of said towel-belt to allow said material to partially unfurl and present an increased surface area for use as a towel without dismantling said end regions of said towel-belt, wherein said securing means comprises stitching;

complementary fastening means for fastening together said end regions of said towel-belt wherein said fastening means comprises a hook and loop, touch and close fastener; and

at least one pocket disposed in said towel-belt.