Beach blanket

Abstract

A beach blanket comprising at least one hole for receiving an umbrella so that when the shaft of the umbrella is positioned over the blanket, the canopy of the umbrella provides shade over the blanket. The blanket further includes an upper side, a lower surface and a peripheral edge wherein at least one pocket is affixed to the lower surface of the blanket adjacent to the peripheral edge for receiving ballast material or valuables.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 686,939 filed Jun. 3, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to improved beach or picnic blankets, towels, mats and similar products that are used at a beach, picnic, pool or outdoors generally with enhanced utility. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new beach blanket, towel or mat with pockets for ballast and / or holding objects and an opening for receiving an umbrella so that the umbrella is positioned to cast shade or otherwise provide shelter over the blanket, towel or mat. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0003] Beach or picnic blankets, towels or mats are a necessary item for outdoor activities for many reasons. For one, such a blanket, towel or mat provides a useful surface for relaxation, sunbathing or picnicking. [0004] However, standard bath towels and blankets are...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0028] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a beach blanket, towel or mat of a size that can be easily rolled up or folded to fit into a carrying case or tote bag. Preferably, the carrying case has a coordinated design and more preferably, is made of the same material as the blanket, towel or mat.

[0029] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a beach blanket, towel or mat that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. Preferably, the blanket, towel or mat is marketed with a coordinating carrying case or tote.

[0030] It is still a further object of the present invention, wherein the blanket, towel or mat with pockets and a center opening for an umbrella may be used as a table cloth for a picnic or patio table wherein ballast material is placed in the pockets to prevent the blanket, towel or mat from blowing away and an umbrella can be inserted into the center opening to accommodate an umbrella that can be positioned to cast shade on the picnic or patio table.

[0031] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new beach blanket, towel or mat that has many of the advantages of the beach blankets mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new beach blanket, towel or mat that is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art beach blankets, either alone or in any combination thereof. In these respects, the beach blanket, towel or mat of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing a user to keep the present invention securely in place without soiling the surface of the blanket, towel or mat; detracting from the appearance of the blanket, towel or mat; losing surface area; creating any extra bulk; necessitating the need for stakes or special ballast material; and that has an opening for the shaft of an umbrella.

Problems solved by technology

However, standard bath towels and blankets are not well suited for use at the beach or other outdoor forums.

One of the problems is that when a blanket or towel lies on the sand or ground, the blanket or towel can be blown, kicked or pulled over onto the central portion of the blanket and disarranged.

This obviously reduces the size of the blanket and increases the likelihood of sand or dirt landing on the central portion of the blanket or towel.

Further, while at a beach, pool or park, there is often no place to store items such as keys, cell phones, wrist watches, cash, suntan lotion or the like.

For several reasons, leaving valuable items in plain sight may not be wise.

Moreover, such blanket or towels are often used in conjunction with an umbrella and it is often difficult to place the umbrella in such a way as to cast shade or provide shelter on the entire surface area of the blanket or towel.

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