CHALK AND ACCESSORY CONTAINER

Abstract

A gym chalk container including two chambers, a chalk chamber, and an accessory chamber. The chalk chamber includes a first open end and a first closed end, with a mesh screen positioned at the first open end. The chalk chamber further includes a first cap positioned to close the first open end. The accessory chamber includes a second open end and a second closed end. The accessory chamber further includes a second cap positioned to close the second open end.

Claims

1. A gym chalk container comprising: a chalk chamber comprising a first open end and a first closed end; a mesh screen positioned at the first open end; a first cap positioned to close the first open end; an accessory chamber comprising a second open end and a second closed end, wherein the first closed end is adjacent to the second closed end, and wherein the first open end faces away from the second closed end; and a second cap positioned to close the second open end.

2. The gym chalk container of claim 1 wherein the first cap comprises an annular body supporting the mesh screen.

3. The gym chalk container of claim 2 wherein the first cap further comprises: a hinge; and a lid connected to the annular body with the hinge.

4. The gym chalk container of claim 3 wherein the first cap further comprises a spring operatively associated with a hinge to bias the lid into an open or a closed configuration.

5. The gym chalk container of claim 1 further comprising a threaded end piece configured to be connected in threaded engagement with the chalk chamber, wherein the threaded end piece supports the mesh screen.

6. The gym chalk container of claim 1 further comprising: a single housing defining the chalk chamber and the accessory chamber; and a center plug positioned within the single housing, between the first open end and the second open end, wherein the center plug defines the first closed end and the second closed end.

7. The gym chalk container of claim 1 further comprising a separable connection between the chalk chamber and the accessory chamber, permitting the chalk chamber to be disconnected from the accessory chamber.

8. The gym chalk container of claim 7 wherein the separable connection between the chalk chamber and the accessory chamber is a threaded connection.

9. The gym chalk container of claim 1 further comprising: an attachment ring; and a clip connected to the attachment ring.

10. The gym chalk container of claim 1 wherein the chalk chamber and the accessory chamber comprise corresponding circular cross-sections at the first closed end and at the second closed end.

11. The gym chalk container of claim 1 further comprising a removable chalk cartridge sized to fit within the chalk chamber.

12. The gym chalk container of claim 11 wherein the removable chalk cartridge comprises: a transparent plastic bottle; and a removable bottle lid.

13. A method of dispensing gym chalk comprising: providing a gym chalk container comprising: a chalk chamber comprising a first open end and a first closed end; a mesh screen positioned at the first open end; a first cap positioned to close the first open end; an accessory chamber comprising a second open end and a second closed end; wherein the first closed end is adjacent the second closed end, and wherein the first open end faces away from the second open end; and a second cap positioned to close the second open end; opening the first cap; dispensing gym chalk through the mesh screen; opening the second cap; and placing a personal item in the accessory chamber.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: providing a removable mesh support supporting the mesh screen; removing the removable mesh support from the first open end; and placing the gym chalk into the chalk chamber.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of placing the gym chalk into the chalk chamber comprises placing a chalk cartridge containing the gym chalk into the chalk chamber.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing the chalk cartridge as a transparent plastic bottle and a removable bottle lid.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising: providing a separable connection between the chalk chamber and the accessory chamber; and separating the chalk chamber from the accessory chamber at the separable connection.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising: providing a threaded connection between the chalk chamber and the accessory chamber; and separating the chalk chamber from the accessory chamber by unthreading the threaded connection.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising attaching the gym chalk container to another structure with an attachment ring and clip attached to the gym chalk container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gym chalk container as disclosed herein.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the gym chalk container of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative gym chalk container as disclosed herein.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of portions of the gym chalk container of FIG. 3, showing an internal center plug in dashed lines.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a threaded end piece housing a mesh screen.

[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the threaded end piece of FIG. 5.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an attachment ring.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tubular accessory chamber.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tubular chalk chamber.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of first and second end caps.

[0018] FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the first and second end caps of FIG. 8.

[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative first end cap.

[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative second end cap

[0021] FIG. 14 is a plan view of a chalk cartridge.

[0022] FIG. 15 is an accessory chamber side perspective view of the gym chalk container of FIG. 3.

[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the chalk chamber side of the gym chalk container of FIG. 3 showing a chalk cartridge being loaded therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0024] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that other embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Several embodiments are described herein, and while various features are ascribed to different embodiments, it should be appreciated that the features described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token, however, no single feature or features of any described embodiment should be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, as other embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

[0025] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used herein to express quantities, dimensions, and so forth used should be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about. In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise and use of the terms and and or means and/or unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term including, as well as other forms, such as includes and included, should be considered non-exclusive. Also, terms such as element or component encompass both elements and components comprising one unit and elements and components that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0026] One embodiment is a gym chalk container 10, also referred to herein as a container 10. The container 10 is designed to store and dispense quantities of gym chalk for personal use, and to conveniently store ancillary personal items as well. Therefore, the container 10 is divided into two distinct and separate chambers, a chalk chamber 12, and an accessory chamber 14. Gym chalk is utilized by users participating in various sports including but not limited to gymnastics, rock climbing, weightlifting, parkour, and like.

[0027] The chalk chamber 12 is used to store and dispense gym chalk and therefore includes a mesh screen 16 at or near an open end 18. The chalk chamber 12 further includes a cap 20, plug or similar structure operatively associated with the open end 18 to close the chalk chamber 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 12, the cap 20 seals the mesh screen 16 within the chalk chamber 12 when the cap 20 is closed. The chalk chamber 12 also includes a closed end 22 opposite the open end 18 and separated from the open end 18 by a sidewall 23. The chalk chamber 12 therefore defines an interior space for chalk storage between the closed end 22 and the mesh screen 16 within the sidewall 23.

[0028] The cap 20 may be a unitary component which threads into engagement or press-fits into engagement with the open end 18 of the chalk chamber 12. In other embodiments, the cap 20 may include multiple components. For example, the cap 20 embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 includes a plug 24 sized to seal the chalk chamber 12. The plug 24 may be connected to the chalk chamber 12 or connected to a separable mesh supporting structure attached to the chalk chamber 12 with a flexible ring and strap 25. In this embodiment, one or both the cap 20 and the open end 18 or the mesh supporting structure may include a shoulder, an edge, a ridge 26, a bushing, or other structure providing a seal between the plug 24 and the chalk chamber 12 or any mesh supporting structure. One or both the cap 20 and the open end 18 may be fabricated from a deformable or elastomeric material or include a deformable or elastomeric ring, bushing, or similar structure to provide a seal between the cap 20 and open end 18 or mesh supporting structure.

[0029] An alternative cap embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. The alternative cap embodiment includes an annular body 27 that is press-fit or otherwise engaged with the open end 18 of the chalk chamber 12. The annular body 27 houses the mesh screen 16. The annular body 27 is connected to a lid 28 with a hinge 30. Thus, the entire cap 20, including the screen 16, may be removed from the chalk chamber 12, to fill the chalk chamber 12 with gym chalk. When the cap 20 is attached to the chalk chamber 12, the lid 28 may be opened to dispense chalk. In cap 20 embodiments including a hinge 30, a spring 43 may be provided within the hinge to either bias the lid 28 to a closed position when released by a user, or bias the lid 28 to an open position when the lid 28 is initially disengaged from a seal with the annular body 27. The lid 28 may optionally include tabs 29 which facilitate a user flipping the lid open with one hand, particularly when a spring 43 is used to bias the lid 28 into an open position after the user disengages the lid 28 from the annular body 27.

[0030] As noted above, the mesh screen 16 serves to limit the amount of chalk that will be dispensed from the chalk chamber 12 during normal operations. The mesh screen 16 can be fabricated from metal, plastic or another suitable material and will have mesh openings or holes sized to meter how much chalk can be conveniently shaken into a user's hand during normal operations.

[0031] The container 10 further includes an accessory chamber 14 sized and configured to hold any number of typically small personal items such as a tube of lipstick, a locker key, a blister repair kit, cash, car keys, etc. The accessory chamber 14 includes an open end 32 which may be closed with a cap 33 or plug.

[0032] The accessory chamber 14 also includes a closed end 34 which is positioned opposite the open end 32 and separated from the open end 32 by a sidewall 36. The accessory chamber 14 therefore defines an interior space between the closed end 34 and the cap 33 within the sidewall 36 for accessory item storage.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the closed end 22 of the chalk chamber 12 and the closed end 34 of the accessory chamber 14 are positioned adjacent to each other when the container 10 is assembled. Thus, the open ends 18 and 32 respectively face away from the other at opposite ends of the container 10 when it is assembled.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the cap 33 closing the accessory chamber 14 will be substantially identical to the cap 20 closing the chalk chamber 12. In other embodiments, the caps 20, 33 will have different structures. The cap 33 can include threads, a friction-fit surface, press-fit surface, or similar structure to engage with the open end 32 of the accessory chamber 14.

[0035] The cap 33 may be a unitary component which threads into engagement or press-fits into engagement with either the accessory chamber 14 or an ancillary structure attached to the accessory chamber 14. In other embodiments, the cap 33 may include multiple components. For example, the cap 33 illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 includes a plug 38 sized to seal the accessory chamber 14. The plug 38 may be attached to the accessory chamber 14 with a flexible ring and strap 39. In this embodiment, one or both the cap 33 and the accessory chamber 14 or any ancillary structure may include a shoulder, edge, a ridge, a bushing, or other structure providing a seal between the plug 38 and the open end 18 or ancillary structure. One or both the cap 33 and the accessory chamber 14 may be fabricated from a deformable or elastomeric material or include a deformable or elastomeric ring, bushing, or similar structure to provide a seal between the cap 33 and open end 32 or ancillary structure.

[0036] An alternative cap 33 embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 13. The alternative cap embodiment includes an annular body 40 for that is press-fit or otherwise engaged at the open end 32 of the accessory chamber 14. The annular body 40 is substantially identical to the annular body 27 but does not include a mesh screen 16. The annular body 40 is connected to a lid 41 with a hinge 42. Thus, the entire cap 33 may be removed from the accessory chamber 14. Typically, a user will merely open the lid 41 to insert or remove personal items from the accessory chamber 14. In cap 33 embodiments including a hinge 42, a spring 43 may be provided within the hinge to either bias the lid 41 to a closed position when released by a user, or bias the lid 41 to an open position when the lid 41 is initially disengaged from a seal with the annular body 40.

[0037] The container 10 may also optionally include a ring 44, extension, loop, or similar attachment point for the purpose of connecting the container 10 to a carabiner, clip 45, link, or other intermediate structure for subsequent attachment to a gym bag strap, belt loop, locker, or similar article. An alternative connection structure may be permanently formed in one of sidewalls 23 and 36.

[0038] The various chambers and structures comprising the container 10 may be fabricated from any suitable material, including but not limited to, metal, plastic, or composites. The various chambers and structures included in the container 10 may be molded, formed, machined, or fabricated using any combination of fabrication techniques.

[0039] The chalk chamber 12 and accessory chamber 14 may, in certain embodiments, be permanently bonded together or co-formed from a single tube or other structure with the closed ends 22 and 34 positioned together within the container 10 and the respective open ends 18 and 32 facing away from each other, out of the opposing ends of the structure. In one embodiment, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, there are no separate or separable sidewalls 23 and 36. In such an embodiment, a single sidewall 46 defines both the chalk chamber 12 and accessory chamber 14. The single sidewall 46 may be fabricated from a metal tube, plastic tube or similar tubular structure. Alternatively, the single sidewall 46 could be square, rectangular, octagonal or have another cross-sectional shape. A center plug 47 may be installed within the single sidewall 46 to create a partition defining one or both of the closed end 22 of the chalk chamber 12 and the closed end 34 of the accessory chamber 14. The center plug 47 may be installed within the single sidewall by a press fit, with adhesive, or with other fasteners. In an alternative embodiment, the center plug 47 may be a partition that is wholly integrated with the sidewall 46 and remains after the chalk chamber 12 and accessory chamber 14 interiors are machined or molded.

[0040] In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the chalk chamber 12 and accessory chamber 14 may not be separated from each other. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, 8, and 9 the chalk chamber 12 and accessory chamber 14 are removably connected to each other. In these embodiments, the chambers 12 and 14 have substantially equivalent circular cross sections at or near the closed ends 22 and 34. Other matching cross-sectional shapes are possible. The chambers 12 and 14 may be connected by threading the chambers together at the closed ends 22 and 34. Specifically, one closed end may include male threads 48 and the other closed end may include corresponding female threads 49. Thus, the separable chalk chamber 12 and accessory chamber 14 may be threaded together to form a unit, for example a substantially cylindrical container 10 as illustrated in the figures with the openings 18 and 32 facing opposite each other.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment including a separable chalk chamber 12 and accessory chamber 14, the junction between the chambers may be accomplished with a press-fit coupling, fasteners, or other engagements.

[0042] In certain embodiments, the mesh screen 16 may be housed in a removable mesh supporting structure permitting the mesh screen 16 to be removed from the open end 18 of the chalk chamber 12. One example of a mesh supporting structure permitting the mesh screen 16 to be removed is the annular body 27 described above. Another example of a mesh supporting structure permitting the mesh screen 16 to be removed from the chalk chamber is a threaded end piece 50 that can be attached to the chalk chamber 12 by engaging threads 51 formed on the end piece 50 with corresponding threads 52 formed at the open end 18 of the chalk chamber 12. In other embodiments, the mesh screen 16 may be housed in a removable press-fit housing, an interior, ring, bushing, grommet, or other structure that can be removed from the open end 18 of the chalk chamber 12. In certain embodiments, the mesh screen 16 may not include a supporting structure of any sort and may be removable by itself. Providing a removable mesh screen 16 with or without a mesh supporting structure is advantageous because removal of the mesh screen 16 from the chalk chamber 12 is a prerequisite to conveniently refilling the chalk chamber 12 with chalk.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the mesh screen 16 may also be removed from the mesh supporting structure, in this instance threaded end piece 50, for cleaning or replacement.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the attachment ring 44 may be held captive between the threaded end piece 50 and chalk chamber 12 when the threaded end piece 48 and chalk chamber 12 are threaded together. Alternatively, the attachment ring 44 may be engaged with a groove 53 defined by one of the sidewalls. Although threaded and push-fit engagements are shown in the figures and described in detail above, the various chambers, end pieces, attachment ring structures, mesh supports, and other structures could alternatively be attached to corresponding structures with supplemental attachment structures, screws, adhesives, or by other means.

[0045] In certain embodiments, gym chalk is simply placed within the chalk chamber 12 prior to use. In other embodiments, the chalk is contained within a removable chalk cartridge 54. The removable chalk cartridge 54 is sized to fit within the chalk chamber 12, as shown in FIG. 14. The illustrated removable chalk cartridge 54 is implemented with a transparent plastic bottle 55 having a removable bottle lid 56. After the transparent plastic bottle 55 and chalk are inserted into the chalk chamber 12, the bottle lid 56 may be removed and recycled.

[0046] Another embodiment disclosed herein is a method of dispensing chalk using the container 10. Method embodiments include storing gym chalk in the chalk chamber and dispensing the chalk through the mesh screen 16. Method embodiments further include storing one or more personal items in the accessory chamber 14.

[0047] In certain embodiments, the chalk dispensing method may include providing a removable mesh support attached to the chalk chamber 12 that supports the mesh screen 16, removing the removable mesh support from the open end 18; and placing gym chalk into the chalk chamber 12. The gym chalk may be placed directly into the chalk chamber 12, or the gym chalk may be contained within a chalk cartridge 54 that is placed within the chalk chamber 12.

[0048] In embodiments including a separable connection between the chalk chamber 12 and the accessory chamber 14, the method may include separating the chalk chamber from the accessory chamber at the separable connection, for example by unthreading a threaded connection between the chalk chamber 12 and accessory chamber 14. A method embodiment may also include attaching the gym chalk container to another item with an attachment ring and/or clip attached to the gym chalk container.

[0049] Having described certain exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0050] Hence, while various embodiments are described with, or without, certain features for ease of description and to illustrate exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the various components and/or features described herein with respect to a particular embodiment can be substituted, added and/or subtracted from among other described embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise. Consequently, although several exemplary embodiments are described above, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.