CHALK AND ACCESSORY CONTAINER

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.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatus and methods for containing and dispensing gym chalk and for storing personal items.

BACKGROUND

Many persons use gym chalk during athletic or recreational activities. Activities where gym chalk may be applied by a user to their hands include but are not limited to gymnastics, weightlifting, climbing, organized exercise classes and the like. Various containers and bags exist to store and/or dispense gym chalk. Known chalk bags or other chalk containers can be somewhat large, messy and inconvenient to use. Known chalk bags or other chalk containers tend to be shared by many persons during an activity. This has caused concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020.

Persons engaging in activities such as gymnastics, weightlifting, climbing or organized exercise classes can also find it inconvenient to comfortably store small personal items during their activities. The embodiments disclosed herein are directed toward overcoming one or more of the above problems.

SUMMARY

One embodiment disclosed herein includes a gym chalk container. The gym chalk container includes 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.

In certain embodiments of gym chalk container, the chalk chamber is separable from the accessory chamber. In other embodiments, the chalk chamber and accessory chamber are permanently affixed to each other implemented as a unitary device. The first closed end of the chalk chamber is positioned adjacent to the second closed end of the accessory chamber. Thus, the first open end of the chalk chamber faces away from the second closed end of the accessory chamber.

Alternative embodiments include methods of dispensing gym chalk from a gym chalk container as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment is a gym chalk container10, also referred to herein as a container10. The container10is designed to store and dispense quantities of gym chalk for personal use, and to conveniently store ancillary personal items as well. Therefore, the container10is divided into two distinct and separate chambers, a chalk chamber12, and an accessory chamber14. Gym chalk is utilized by users participating in various sports including but not limited to gymnastics, rock climbing, weightlifting, parkour, and like.

The chalk chamber12is used to store and dispense gym chalk and therefore includes a mesh screen16at or near an open end18. The chalk chamber12further includes a cap20, plug or similar structure operatively associated with the open end18to close the chalk chamber12. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 12, the cap20seals the mesh screen16within the chalk chamber12when the cap20is closed. The chalk chamber12also includes a closed end22opposite the open end18and separated from the open end18by a sidewall23. The chalk chamber12therefore defines an interior space for chalk storage between the closed end22and the mesh screen16within the sidewall23.

The cap20may be a unitary component which threads into engagement or press-fits into engagement with the open end18of the chalk chamber12. In other embodiments, the cap20may include multiple components. For example, the cap20embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11includes a plug24sized to seal the chalk chamber12. The plug24may be connected to the chalk chamber12or connected to a separable mesh supporting structure attached to the chalk chamber12with a flexible ring and strap25. In this embodiment, one or both the cap20and the open end18or the mesh supporting structure may include a shoulder, an edge, a ridge26, a bushing, or other structure providing a seal between the plug24and the chalk chamber12or any mesh supporting structure. One or both the cap20and the open end18may 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 cap20and open end18or mesh supporting structure.

An alternative cap embodiment is illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13. The alternative cap embodiment includes an annular body27that is press-fit or otherwise engaged with the open end18of the chalk chamber12. The annular body27houses the mesh screen16. The annular body27is connected to a lid28with a hinge30. Thus, the entire cap20, including the screen16, may be removed from the chalk chamber12, to fill the chalk chamber12with gym chalk. When the cap20is attached to the chalk chamber12, the lid28may be opened to dispense chalk. In cap20embodiments including a hinge30, a spring43may be provided within the hinge to either bias the lid28to a closed position when released by a user, or bias the lid28to an open position when the lid28is initially disengaged from a seal with the annular body27. The lid28may optionally include tabs29which facilitate a user flipping the lid open with one hand, particularly when a spring43is used to bias the lid28into an open position after the user disengages the lid28from the annular body27.

As noted above, the mesh screen16serves to limit the amount of chalk that will be dispensed from the chalk chamber12during normal operations. The mesh screen16can 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.

The container10further includes an accessory chamber14sized 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 chamber14includes an open end32which may be closed with a cap33or plug.

The accessory chamber14also includes a closed end34which is positioned opposite the open end32and separated from the open end32by a sidewall36. The accessory chamber14therefore defines an interior space between the closed end34and the cap33within the sidewall36for accessory item storage.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the closed end22of the chalk chamber12and the closed end34of the accessory chamber14are positioned adjacent to each other when the container10is assembled. Thus, the open ends18and32respectively face away from the other at opposite ends of the container10when it is assembled.

In certain embodiments, the cap33closing the accessory chamber14will be substantially identical to the cap20closing the chalk chamber12. In other embodiments, the caps20,33will have different structures. The cap33can include threads, a friction-fit surface, press-fit surface, or similar structure to engage with the open end32of the accessory chamber14.

The cap33may be a unitary component which threads into engagement or press-fits into engagement with either the accessory chamber14or an ancillary structure attached to the accessory chamber14. In other embodiments, the cap33may include multiple components. For example, the cap33illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11includes a plug38sized to seal the accessory chamber14. The plug38may be attached to the accessory chamber14with a flexible ring and strap39. In this embodiment, one or both the cap33and the accessory chamber14or any ancillary structure may include a shoulder, edge, a ridge, a bushing, or other structure providing a seal between the plug38and the open end18or ancillary structure. One or both the cap33and the accessory chamber14may 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 cap33and open end32or ancillary structure.

An alternative cap33embodiment is illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 13. The alternative cap embodiment includes an annular body40for that is press-fit or otherwise engaged at the open end32of the accessory chamber14. The annular body40is substantially identical to the annular body27but does not include a mesh screen16. The annular body40is connected to a lid41with a hinge42. Thus, the entire cap33may be removed from the accessory chamber14. Typically, a user will merely open the lid41to insert or remove personal items from the accessory chamber14. In cap33embodiments including a hinge42, a spring43may be provided within the hinge to either bias the lid41to a closed position when released by a user, or bias the lid41to an open position when the lid41is initially disengaged from a seal with the annular body40.

The container10may also optionally include a ring44, extension, loop, or similar attachment point for the purpose of connecting the container10to a carabiner, clip45, 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 sidewalls23and36.

The various chambers and structures comprising the container10may be fabricated from any suitable material, including but not limited to, metal, plastic, or composites. The various chambers and structures included in the container10may be molded, formed, machined, or fabricated using any combination of fabrication techniques.

The chalk chamber12and accessory chamber14may, in certain embodiments, be permanently bonded together or co-formed from a single tube or other structure with the closed ends22and34positioned together within the container10and the respective open ends18and32facing away from each other, out of the opposing ends of the structure. In one embodiment, best shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, there are no separate or separable sidewalls23and36. In such an embodiment, a single sidewall46defines both the chalk chamber12and accessory chamber14. The single sidewall46may be fabricated from a metal tube, plastic tube or similar tubular structure. Alternatively, the single sidewall46could be square, rectangular, octagonal or have another cross-sectional shape. A center plug47may be installed within the single sidewall46to create a partition defining one or both of the closed end22of the chalk chamber12and the closed end34of the accessory chamber14. The center plug47may be installed within the single sidewall by a press fit, with adhesive, or with other fasteners. In an alternative embodiment, the center plug47may be a partition that is wholly integrated with the sidewall46and remains after the chalk chamber12and accessory chamber14interiors are machined or molded.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 3 and 4, the chalk chamber12and accessory chamber14may not be separated from each other. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1, 2, 8, and 9the chalk chamber12and accessory chamber14are removably connected to each other. In these embodiments, the chambers12and14have substantially equivalent circular cross sections at or near the closed ends22and34. Other matching cross-sectional shapes are possible. The chambers12and14may be connected by threading the chambers together at the closed ends22and34. Specifically, one closed end may include male threads48and the other closed end may include corresponding female threads49. Thus, the separable chalk chamber12and accessory chamber14may be threaded together to form a unit, for example a substantially cylindrical container10as illustrated in the figures with the openings18and32facing opposite each other.

In an alternative embodiment including a separable chalk chamber12and accessory chamber14, the junction between the chambers may be accomplished with a press-fit coupling, fasteners, or other engagements.

In certain embodiments, the mesh screen16may be housed in a removable mesh supporting structure permitting the mesh screen16to be removed from the open end18of the chalk chamber12. One example of a mesh supporting structure permitting the mesh screen16to be removed is the annular body27described above. Another example of a mesh supporting structure permitting the mesh screen16to be removed from the chalk chamber is a threaded end piece50that can be attached to the chalk chamber12by engaging threads51formed on the end piece50with corresponding threads52formed at the open end18of the chalk chamber12. In other embodiments, the mesh screen16may be housed in a removable press-fit housing, an interior, ring, bushing, grommet, or other structure that can be removed from the open end18of the chalk chamber12. In certain embodiments, the mesh screen16may not include a supporting structure of any sort and may be removable by itself. Providing a removable mesh screen16with or without a mesh supporting structure is advantageous because removal of the mesh screen16from the chalk chamber12is a prerequisite to conveniently refilling the chalk chamber12with chalk.

As shown inFIG. 4, the mesh screen16may also be removed from the mesh supporting structure, in this instance threaded end piece50, for cleaning or replacement.

As shown inFIG. 2, the attachment ring44may be held captive between the threaded end piece50and chalk chamber12when the threaded end piece48and chalk chamber12are threaded together. Alternatively, the attachment ring44may be engaged with a groove53defined 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.

In certain embodiments, gym chalk is simply placed within the chalk chamber12prior to use. In other embodiments, the chalk is contained within a removable chalk cartridge54. The removable chalk cartridge54is sized to fit within the chalk chamber12, as shown inFIG. 14. The illustrated removable chalk cartridge54is implemented with a transparent plastic bottle55having a removable bottle lid56. After the transparent plastic bottle55and chalk are inserted into the chalk chamber12, the bottle lid56may be removed and recycled.

Another embodiment disclosed herein is a method of dispensing chalk using the container10. Method embodiments include storing gym chalk in the chalk chamber and dispensing the chalk through the mesh screen16. Method embodiments further include storing one or more personal items in the accessory chamber14.

In certain embodiments, the chalk dispensing method may include providing a removable mesh support attached to the chalk chamber12that supports the mesh screen16, removing the removable mesh support from the open end18; and placing gym chalk into the chalk chamber12. The gym chalk may be placed directly into the chalk chamber12, or the gym chalk may be contained within a chalk cartridge54that is placed within the chalk chamber12.

In embodiments including a separable connection between the chalk chamber12and the accessory chamber14, 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 chamber12and accessory chamber14. 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.

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.

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.