Patent Publication Number: US-10315456-B2

Title: Chalk stick holder and method of use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/446,653 Filed Jan. 16, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a chalk stick holder and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a multi-part chalk stick holder tool with handle, extension rod and chalk holder, and gripping end. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Children enjoy drawing on surfaces, such as sidewalks and driveways, with colored chalk sticks. The problem with these sticks are that they can get lost and damaged when not in use, and can leave a chalk residue on the child&#39;s hands during use. Further, often the child will want to play with their parent or another adult while using the chalk, but often older adults have problems kneeling or bending to reach the coloring surface such as the sidewalk or driveway. 
     Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for a chalk stick holder with the advantages and features of the present invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally provides a chalk stick holder device having a handle portion, a hollow central tube portion, and a gripper portion. The three portions can be joined together to form a long-reaching chalk stick holder for drawing on surfaces while the user remains standing. The gripper portion includes a spring-action receiver for receiving a chalk stick and securing the chalk stick within the gripper end using a locking tooth. Upon pressing the locking tooth, the receiver releases the chalk stick, which can then be replaced with another color of chalk stick stored in the hollow central tube portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof. 
         FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a left side elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a right side elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear elevational view thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
     As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. 
     II. Preferred Embodiment Chalk Stick Holder  2   
     As shown in the figures, a preferred embodiment of the present invention chalk stick holder  2  generally includes three parts: a handle end piece  6  for gripping, a hollow central tube  4  for storing unused chalks sticks (not shown), and a gripper end  8  for gripping one chalk stick  10 . The hollow central tube  4  joins the handle end  6  and the gripper end  8  to form one long, single device as shown in the figures; however, the three pieces can be separated at will at any time. 
     The gripper end  8  includes a claw-like receiver  22  for allowing a chalk stick to be inserted into an opening  20  in that end, and then kept in place by the receiver using a spring action clip  12  which pivots about a spring hinge  14 . The release lever  16  has several teeth  24  for securing the receiver clip  12  in place about the chalk stick  10  or to relieve the chalk stick from the receiver. The front end of the spring action clip  12  clamps against the chalk stick  10  and is held there by the release leaver  16 , allowing the chalk stick  10  to be extended as it is worn down. The release lever  16  is pinned to the receiver  22  with a pin  18 . 
     The gripper end  8  could be used as a stand-alone drawing device by itself to prevent chalk dust from staining the hands of the user, or could be used on the end of the hollow central tube and the handle end as a long-reach means of using the chalk stick. This would prevent adults or others who have physical ailments, such as back or knee problems, from bending or kneeling on the ground to draw using the chalk stick. 
     The receiver  22  has a front (proximal) end  26  and a rear (distal) end  28 , as well as a hollow space  30  for holding the chalk stick  10 . The hollow central tube  4  has a proximal end  32  which is received within the receiver  22  distal end  28 . The hollow central tube  4  has a distal end  34  which is connected to the handle end piece  6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the spring action receiver clip  12  pivots up and down about the spring hinge  14 , which connects the clip to the receiver  22 . The user can manipulate this by pulling down on or simply gripping the receiver clip  12 , which clamps the front end of the receiver clip  12  against the chalk stick  10 , securing it in place. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the release lever  16  can be manually pulled toward the distal end  28  of the receiver  22 . This allows the user to clamp down onto the receiver clip  12 , thereby locking the chalk stick  10  in place about the front opening  20  of the receiver  22 . The release lever  16  then catches the receiver clip  12  using its teeth  24 . When the user later pulls the release lever  16  away from the receiver clip  12  and toward the distal end of the receiver, the spring hinge  14  automatically rotates the receiver clip  12  about itself such that it releases the chalk stick  10 . This maneuver could be performed with a single hand. 
     It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.