GB2402963A

GB2402963A - Golf towel holder

Info

Publication number: GB2402963A
Application number: GB0314523A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward John Reed; Kenneth Charles Brabant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-21
Filing date: 2003-06-21
Publication date: 2004-12-22
Also published as: GB0314523D0

Abstract

A golf towel holder (1) comprising a generally tubular sleeve portion (2) for enabling the device to be removably attached to the stem of an umbrella (not shown), and a clip portion (generally denoted at 3) for receiving and removably retaining a portion of a towel, when the device is in use. The clip portion (3) comprises upper and lower cooperating jaw elements (4, 5), which are resiliently biassed toward each other, the upper jaw element (4) being provided with a barb (6) which cooperates with a notch or other obstruction (7) provided on the lower jaw element (5).

Description

Golf Towel Holder This invention relates generally to a towel holder for

holding one or more towels during a game of golf, for example, or whilst fishing.

It is well known for a golfer to use one or more towels during a game of golf for wiping his hands and/or the handles of his golf clubs, especially in wet weather. It is obviously inconvenient for the golfer to have to carry these towels about their person and undesirable to for him to have to place it on the ground or other wet surface. There is therefore a need for means to hold these towels, while at the same time keeping them available for use.

US Patent No. 6,273,279 describes a golf towel holder comprising first and second hooks mounted on a base plate which includes means to enable it to be detachably attached to the top of a golf bag. Similarly, US Patent No. 5,931,317 describes a golf range facilitator which is primarily for storage of golf balls and clubs, and includes a towel- holding hook.

However, towels intended for the above-mentioned use are obviously required to be kept dry, which is very difficult during wet weather if they are hanging from the side of a golf bag or similar receptacle. Thus, it is common practice for golfers to thread their towel(s) through the spokes beneath the canopy of a golfing umbrella, thereby enabling the towel to be stored for use and to be kept dry whilst not in use. It will be apparent, however, that a significant disadvantage of this practice as it is inconvenient and there is the high risk of damage to the spokes of the umbrella.

We have now devised an improved arrangement.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a towel holder, comprising retaining means for receiving and removably retaining a portion of a towel, and means for attaching said retaining means beneath the canopy of an umbrella or means for receiving attaching means for attaching said retaining means beneath the canopy of an umbrella.

The retaining means may be removably attachable to the umbrella, or it may be permanently connected thereto, or integrally formed therewith. In fact, the present invention extends to an umbrella including a towel holder comprising retaining means for receiving and removably retaining a portion of a towel, said retaining means being attached, removably or otherwise, to said umbrella beneath the canopy thereof.

Thus, when the towel is not in use, it can be removably retained, but available for use, beneath the canopy of an umbrella, so that it remains dry.

In a preferred embodiment, the retaining means may comprise a clip member, comprising two jaw elements hingeably connected together. However, the retaining means could just as well comprise a hook member or other retaining means. A handle or similar gripping means is preferably provided to facilitate convenient handling and manipulation of the device.

The means for attaching the retaining means to an umbrella may comprise a sleeve member or the like for at least partially surrounding, and gripping, the upright shaft of an umbrella or any portion adj acent or attached thereto. The retaining means preferably comprises additional gripping means between the jaws of the clip, such as a barb and corresponding notch or other obstruction.

The towel holder is preferably formed of a resiliently flexible material, for example, a plastic material such as polypropylene or the like. The towel holder may be injection moulded.

The towel holder is particularly (but not necessarily exclusively) suited for holding a golf towel during a game of golf or a towel for use by a fisherman during fishing.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the embodiment described hereinafter.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a golf towel holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the golf towel holder of Figure, when in use.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a golf towel holder 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a generally tubular sleeve portion 2 for enabling the device to be removably attached to the stem of an umbrella (not shown), and a clip portion (generally denoted at 3) for receiving and removablyretaining aportionofatowel, when the device is in use. The clip portion 3 comprises upper and lower cooperating jaw elements 4, 5, which are resiliently biassed toward each other, the upper jaw element 4 being provided with a barb 6 which cooperates with a notch or other obstruction 7 provided on the lower jaw element 5.

The entire device 1 formed of a resiliently flexible material, such as a plastic material or the like, and may be injection moulded in, for example, polypropylene. In any event, a hinge portion 8 is formed or provided between the upper and lower jaw elements 4, 5 to facilitate a cooperative jaw-like action between the two elements 4, 5.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, in use, the golf towel holder 1 is attached by means of the sleeve portion 2 to the upright stem 9 of an umbrella. The jaw elements 4, 5 are prised apart to a certain extent, and a portion of a towel 11 to be retained is inserted between them.

The j aw elements 4, 5 are then released so that they move back toward each other. The barb 6 connects with the notch or other obstruction 7 such that the towel 11 is trapped between the jaw elements 4, 5 and securely retained thereby.

When it is required to use the towel 11, the jaw elements 4, 5 may once again be prised apart, such that the towel 11 may be removed from the clip 3. The golf towel holder 1 further includes a handle portion 12 to facilitate convenient manipulation of the device, and removal and attachment thereof from and to the umbrella stem 9.

An embodiment of the present invention has been described above by way of example only and it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the golf towel holder I may be permanently connected to, or integrally formed with, the upright stem of an umbrella. The attachment means may alternatively be, for example, magnetic or adhesive. In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the clip may be replaced by a hook or other retaining means.

The device may, as stated above, be moulded with a resiliently flexible, preferably plastic, material, but it may alternatively be made substantially of a rigid material, such as metal, wherein in the case where a jaw-like clip is provided, the two jaw elements are joined at one end by a hinge mechanism.

Claims

Claims: 1. A towel holder, comprising retaining means for receiving and

removably retaining aportion of a towel, and means for attaching said retaining means beneath the canopy of an umbrella or means for receiving attaching means for attaching said retaining means beneath the canopy of an umbrella.
2. A towel holder according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means is removably attachable to the umbrella.
3. A towel holder according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means is permanently connected to the umbrella, or integrally formed therewith.
4. A towel holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the retaining means comprises a clip member, comprising two jaw elements hingeably connected together.
5. A towel holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the retaining means comprises a hook member.
6. A towel holder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a handle or similar grtppmg means.
7. A towel holder according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means for attaching the retaining means to an umbrella comprises a sleeve member or the like for at least partially surrounding, and gripping, the upright shaft of an umbrella or any portion adjacent or attached thereto.
8. A towel holder according to claim 2, wherein the retaining means comprises additional gripping means between the jaws of the clip.
9. A towel holder according to any one of claims 1 to 8, formed of a resiliently flexible material.
A towel holder according to claim 1 1, substantially formed of a plastic material such as polypropylene or the like.
11. A towel holder according to any one of claims 1 to 10 which is injection moulded.
12. A towel holder substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. An umbrella including a towel holder comprising retaining means for receiving and removably retaining a portion of a towel, said retaining means being attached, removably or otherwise, to said umbrella beneath the canopy thereof.
14. An umbrella substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.