Towel restraint assembly and method of use thereof

Abstract

A towel restraint assembly and method of use thereof, comprising an adjustable non-elastic strap and a clip assembly for releasably gripping a towel, blanket or other material, wherein such clip assembly permits an expanded range of grip forces and opening widths to accommodate various towel, blanket or other material thicknesses without damaging or puncturing the fabric and, thus, preventing the towel, blanket or other material from being blown off the chair.

1 . A restraint for releasably securing an article relative to an object, said restraint comprising:
 a strap;   a fastener for securing a first end of said strap to a surface area of the object, said fastener including a first member fastened to the object and a second member fastened to said strap for releasably engaging said second member with said first member;   a gripping apparatus carried by a second end of said strap, said gripping apparatus having a first jaw member and a second jaw member; and,   means for selectively maintaining said first jaw member and said second jaw member in a closed position about the article.   
     
     
         2 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said strap material is selected from the group consisting of nylon, plastic, canvas, cloth, leather or polyethylene. 
     
     
         3 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said strap further comprises a buckle for lengthening and shortening the distance between said fastener and said gripping apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said gripping apparatus is formed from material selected from the group consisting of nylon, glass fiber reinforced nylon, or polyethylene. 
     
     
         5 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said gripping apparatus is formed using injection molding techniques. 
     
     
         6 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said first and second jaw members further comprise ramp portions joined at a hinge, wherein said hinge holds said first jaw member and said second jaw member in an at least partially open position when at rest. 
     
     
         7 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said gripping apparatus material is selected from the group consisting of a ratchet gripping apparatus, or a screw down threaded gripping apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for selectively maintaining said first and second jaw members in a closed position relative the article is a cooperative joining of said first jaw member and said second jaw member, wherein said second jaw member is urged into contact with said first jaw member via elastic deformation of said gripping apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for selectively maintaining said first and second jaw members in a closed position relative to the article is a sliding collar having a ratchet lever for releasing and locking said sliding collar. 
     
     
         10 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said means for selectively maintaining said first and second jaw members in a closed position relative to the article is a sliding collar having interlocking stair-step grooves on an internal surface of said sliding collar and on an exterior surface of said ramp portions for releasing and locking said sliding collar. 
     
     
         11 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said means for selectively maintaining said first and second jaw members in a closed position relative to the article is a bolt and a nut, wherein said bolt is inserted into an aligned set of holes in said ramp portions, and wherein said nut is tightened on said bolt. 
     
     
         12 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said gripping apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a snap, a twist lock, or a lift dot. 
     
     
         13 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said fastener is a snap, wherein said second member further comprises an eyelet riveted to said strap via a cap, said first member is a socket affixed to the object, and wherein said socket and said cap snap together to secure said strap to the object. 
     
     
         14 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said fastener is a twist lock, wherein said second member further comprises a tang washer and a washer, both having a center hole, wherein said tang washer tangs pierce through said strap proximate said washer and are bent about said washer, and wherein said first member is a stud comprising an upstanding stud and a rotating key portion, wherein said stud is affixed to the object, and wherein said stud is positioned through said tang washer and said washer and said rotating key portion is rotates to secure said strap to the object. 
     
     
         15 . The restraint in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said fastener is lift dot, wherein said second member further comprises a tang housing having a center hole, wherein said tang housing tangs pierce into a first side of said strap, extending out of a second side of said strap, and are deformed on said second side of said strap, wherein said tang housing has a lever for operating a clinch plate, and wherein said first member is a stud having a circumferentially grooved tip, wherein said stud is affixed to the object, and wherein said stud is positioned through said center hole and said clinch plate locks into said circumferentially grooved tip of said stud to secure said strap to the object. 
     
     
         16 . A method for securing a towel to a surface on a boat, said method comprising the steps of:
 obtaining an apparatus comprising a strap, a fastener, and a gripping apparatus, said gripping apparatus having a first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein said fastener is secured to a first end of said strap and said gripping apparatus is secured to a second end of said strap;   installing said fastener into a selected location of the surface on the boat;   positioning a first portion of the towel relative thereto;   inserting a second portion of the towel between said first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein the towel is securely held to the boat.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said fastener further comprises a first member fastened to the boat and a second member fastened to said strap for releasably engaging said second member to said first member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said fastener further comprises a holding means for selectively maintaining said first jaw member and said second jaw member in a closed position about the towel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said strap material is selected from the group consisting of nylon, plastic, canvas, cloth, leather or polyethylene. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said fastener further comprises a buckle for lengthening and shortening the distance between said fastener and said gripping apparatus to accommodate variable distances from the towel to the boat. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said gripping apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a ratchet gripping apparatus, or a screw down gripping apparatus. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said fastener is selected from the group consisting of a snap, a twist lock, or a lift dot.