Beach towel/back pack/adjustable pillow

Abstract

The present invention is a beach accessory that combines a backpack and beach towel into an integral, unique product. The invention may also be used as an adjustable pillow for car and airplane travel. Fabricated from 100% terrycloth or velour towel and 100% cotton or cotton blends, the accessory is machine washable for easy care. The accessory can be easily unfolded to access the towel and just as easily refolded when desired. In backpack form, the invention includes ample storage space for personal items. An added feature incorporates a security pocket for the safekeeping of valuables. Adjustable straps are provided to ensure a good fit when the accessory is utilized as a backpack. The straps also function to secure the towel in a rolled-up configuration when employed as a pillow.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to recreational accessories. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a backpack that can be converted to a beach towel or an adjustable pillow.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] It often seems to require a moving van to transport the array of paraphernalia needed for a comfortable and enjoyable day at the beach. Suntan lotion, personal grooming items, wallets, a beach towel, etc., must be packed and carried. Certainly, enjoyment would be enhanced if some of the above items could be consolidated for convenient transportation.

[0005] A plethora of devices has been fabricated for combining a beach towel with a carrying bag of some sort for transporting equipment to the beach. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,308 (Buhot et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,381 (LaMantia), U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,110 (Sullivan), U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,219 (Kraft), U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,052 (Compton) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,828 B1 (Otley et al.) all disclose the combination of a beach towel and tote bag. The Sullivan patent also shows the device being converted to a backpack. However, the above patents do not contemplate providing a security pocket or structure to form the device as a pillow.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,462 B1 (Moore) is drawn to a device that can alternately be configured to form a blanket, a cushion, a hooded poncho and a tote bag. No provision is made to utilize the device as a backpack.

[0007] European Patent Application 0,439,420 A1 discloses a foam mattress that includes an accessory kit. When folded in a compact configuration the mattress forms a bulky item which defeats the purpose of the invention as will be disclosed herein.

[0008] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to disclose a combination beach towel, backpack, pillow having a security pocket as will be subsequently described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is a beach accessory that combines a backpack and beach towel into an integral, unique product. The invention may also be used as an adjustable pillow for car and airplane travel. Fabricated from 100% terrycloth or velour towel and 100% cotton or cotton blends, the accessory is machine washable for easy care. The accessory can be easily unfolded to access the towel and just as easily refolded when desired. In backpack form, the invention includes ample storage space for personal items. An added feature incorporates a security pocket for the safekeeping of valuables. Adjustable straps are provided to ensure a good fit when the accessory is utilized as a backpack. The straps also function to secure the towel in a rolled-up configuration when employed as a pillow.

[0010] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a beach accessory having a security pocket, which accessory may be converted for multiple uses.

[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a beach accessory, which accessory can be converted for use as a backpack.

[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a beach accessory, which accessory can be converted for use as a beach towel.

[0013] Still another object of the invention is to provide a beach accessory, which accessory can be converted for use as a pillow.

[0014] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

[0015] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beach accessory deployed as a backpack according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a beach accessory deployed as a backpack according to the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a beach accessory in a transitional state according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a beach accessory deployed as a beach towel according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a beach accessory deployed as a pillow according to the present invention.

[0021] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the present invention is generally indicated at 10. As illustrated, the accessory is deployed as a backpack having an exterior front face 12, an exterior rear face 14, exterior sidewalls 16, exterior bottom wall 18 and an open top 20. A pocket 22 is attached to the exterior front face 12. The pocket is provided with a zippered opening 24. A flap 30 has a first end 30a that is attached to rear face 14. Flap 30 terminates in a second end 30b. A fastener 32 is disposed on second end 30b, which fastener is adapted to be secured to a fastener receiver 34 disposed on pocket 22. Although illustrated as a hook and D-ring, it is obvious that the fastener and receiver could take on other conventional forms (hook and loop, snaps, etc.) if desired. Flap 30 is configured to partially close open top 20. Conventional drawstrings 23 are provided to adjust the size of opening 20. As best seen in FIG. 2 a first pair of straps 36 is attached to the rear face 14 adjacent bottom wall 18. A second pair of straps 38 is attached to the exterior rear face adjacent flap first end 30a. Buckles 40 are disposed on the ends of one pair of straps to provide for adjustability and enhance comfort and fit. A folded beach towel 50 is integral with and positioned in the interior of the backpack.

[0023] Attention is now directed to FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein beach towel 50 is illustrated in a transitional state (FIG. 3) and in a completely unfolded state (FIG. 4). As constructed, the interior surfaces of faces 12 and 14 define a top surface and a bottom surface (not shown) of a sector 52 of towel 50. When the towel is pulled and unfolded from the interior of the backpack, the exterior faces of the backpack are everted so that they become interior surfaces of sector 52. Pocket 22 will also be disposed in the interior of sector 52. Straps 38 and flap 30 can be tucked into the interior of sector 52 to achieve a standard beach towel look. To revert to a backpack, the towel is simply refolded and the surfaces reversed so that the exterior faces of the backpack are visible.

[0024] The accessory may also be deployed as a pillow for automobile and airplane use or the like. To utilize the invention in this mode (FIG. 5), the user simply rolls up the towel and employs the straps to secure the towel in the rolled configuration.

[0025] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A beach towel, back pack and pillow combination comprising: a body member having an exterior front face, an exterior rear face, exterior sidewalls, an exterior bottom wall an open top and interior surfaces opposite said exterior front face and said exterior rear face, whereby said body member encloses an interior volume therein; a pocket having a zippered opening therein, said pocket attached to said front face; a flap member for partially covering said open top, said flap member having a first end and a second end; said first end of said flap member affixed to said exterior rear face of said body member closely adjacent said open top; said second end of said flap member terminating in a free end closely adjacent said pocket; a fastener attached to said flap member at said second end; a fastener receiver attached to said pocket; and a beach towel attached at said interior surfaces, said beach towel being removably stored in said interior volume.

2. A beach towel, back pack and pillow combination as recited in claim 1, including a first pair of straps, said first pair of straps having first ends attached to said rear exterior face adjacent said bottom wall and wherein said first pair of straps have second ends which are free ends.

3. A beach towel, back pack and pillow combination as recited in claim 2, including a second pair of straps, said second pair of straps attached to said rear exterior face adjacent said open top and wherein said second pair of straps have second ends which are free ends.

4. A beach towel, back pack and pillow combination as recited in claim 3, including a pair of buckles adjustably connecting the free ends of said first pair of straps and said second pair of straps.

5. A beach towel, back pack and pillow combination comprising: a body member having an exterior front face, an exterior rear face, exterior sidewalls, an exterior bottom wall an open top and interior surfaces opposite said exterior front face and said exterior rear face, whereby said body member encloses an interior volume therein; a pocket having a zippered opening therein, said pocket attached to said front face; a flap member for partially covering said open top, said flap member having a first end and a second end; said first end of said flap member affixed to said exterior rear face of said body member closely adjacent said open top; said second end of said flap member terminating in a free end closely adjacent said pocket; a fastener attached to said flap member at said second end; a fastener receiver attached to said pocket; a beach towel removably stored in said interior volume, said beach towel having a sector defined in a corner thereof, wherein said sector defines said interior surfaces.

6. A beach towel, back pack and pillow combination as recited in claim 5, including a first pair of straps, said first pair of straps having first ends attached to said rear exterior face adjacent said bottom wall and wherein said first pair of straps have second ends which are free ends.

7. A beach towel, back pack and pillow combination as recited in claim 6, including a second pair of straps, said second pair of straps attached to said rear exterior face adjacent said open top and wherein said second pair of straps have second ends which are free ends.

8. A beach towel, back pack and pillow combination as recited in claim 7, including a pair of buckles adjustably connecting the free ends of said first pair of straps and said second pair of straps.