Patent Publication Number: US-2019174851-A1

Title: Athletic Chalk Dispensing Apparel

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This apparel relates to the general field of athletics and has a more specific application to athletes using athletic chalk to improve grip in their respective disciplines. 
     BACKGROUND 
     While watching my son compete at a ninja warrior obstacle competition, a timed event, I kept noticing a recurring theme, competitors wasting time to conventionally apply athletic chalk to their hands to aid in their ability to grip the various obstacles. The way competitors accomplished this traditional application method was to have someone following them around the course with a bag of athletic chalk. The competitor would then stop, dip their hands into bag of athletic chalk to apply it and then continue on until the next time they needed to apply more athletic chalk. In related sports where athletic chalk (also known as gym chalk or magnesium carbonate) is used to enhance the athlete&#39;s grip, such as but not limited to, rock climbing, cross-fit, obstacle races, weight lifting, gymnastics, etc. the application process is similarly dated and cumbersome. 
     The solution that occurred to me was for the competitor to be able to wear an athletic chalk dispensing article of clothing. This allows the athlete to apply the athletic chalk without compromising time, requiring the assistance of another individual, and allowing the athlete to apply more athletic chalk while in the process of attempting an obstacle if needed. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosed apparel allows the athlete to dispense and apply athletic chalk at will during their competition, training, and general exercising. Since the apparel allows the wearer to dispense athletic chalk, it is relevant to any activity which uses athletic chalk. Examples include, but are not limited to, rock climbing, ninja warrior obstacle events, gymnastics, weight lifting, cross fit, mud runs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary pocket in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the front view of the athletic chalk dispensing apparel. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the side view of the athletic chalk dispensing apparel. 
       An alternate embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the alternate embodiment front view of the athletic chalk dispensing apparel. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the alternate embodiment side view of the athletic chalk dispensing apparel. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the alternate embodiment top view of the athletic chalk dispensing apparel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments to illustrate the principles of the invention. The embodiments are provided to illustrate aspects of the invention, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalent; it is limited only by the claims. 
     Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured. 
     Definitions 
     1. Inner side—refers to layer closest to the athlete&#39;s body
 
2. Outer side—refers to layer farthest from the athlete&#39;s body
 
3. Non-permeable—the athletic chalk will not transfer through this material
 
4. Semi-permeable—the athletic chalk will transfer through this material
 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exploded view of one example of a pocket  7  based on the invention is illustrated. The base layer  10  of the pocket is of a non-permeable material so as not to transfer or emit athletic chalk upon contact and forms the interior panel. 
     The base layer  10  may be comprised of the apparels material or a separate panel may be used to affix the pocket to the apparel. A variety of fibers may be used in a textile in accordance with the present invention to achieve the desired manufactured result. 
     The second layer  9  of the pocket is a semi-permeable material to allow the transfer and release of athletic chalk upon contact by the user and forms the exterior panel. The second layer  9  is comprised of a mesh material that allows the athletic chalk to be contained yet released upon contact by the user. Since the material must be semi-permeable to emit the athletic chalk a mesh or knit material is desirable although other textile configurations may work. A variety of fibers may be used in a textile in accordance with the present invention to achieve the desired manufactured result. The length, width and shape of the panel can vary to correspond with the desired results for athletic chalk release and design. A portion of the second layer  9  will not be affixed to the base layer  10  to allow an opening for the pocket to be filled with athletic chalk when it needs to be replenished. 
     The pocket closure  8  can be accomplished in multiple ways. In this particular example, the pocket closure  8  is comprised of an additional panel that can be folded over the opening of the second layer  9  to prevent the athletic chalk from spilling out. One or more closure mechanisms, such as a zipper, button, snap, clasp, hook and loop closure, or other mechanism may be installed to permit the constructed pocket  7  to be opened or closed. An alternative closure method could simply be to omit the pocket closure panel  8  and apply hook and loop sections opposite each other on the inside of the second layer  9  and the outside of the base layer  10  panels. 
     In the assembly of the pocket  7  the second layer  9  will be affixed to the base layer  10  as depicted by the directional arrow  11 . A portion of the edge of the second layer  9  will not be affixed to the base layer  10  to allow an opening for the athletic chalk to be filled. In this embodiment the top edge of the second layer  9  is not affixed to the base layer  10  to make the opening. The remaining edges of the second layer  9  that are not to be the opening will be affixed to the base layer  10  to form the pocket. The second layer  9  may be affixed to the base layer  10  using stitching, an adhesive, sonic welding, heat welding, adhesive films, or any other method deemed appropriate in the manufacturing process. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a pair of athletic shorts  12  is shown in this particular embodiment. The primary material used in a typical pair of athletic shorts is predominately polyester or a polyester blend that is non-permeable yet breathable for user comfort. High spandex content or compression type material is also a popular material choice. 
     In the disclosed embodiment, a pocket has been fashioned to contain athletic chalk. The outer side of the pocket is comprised of a second layer  9  of semi-permeable material to allow athletic chalk to be transferred when contact is made on the surface. The inner side of the pocket is constructed from a base layer  10  of non-permeable material to prevent the transfer of athletic chalk inwards towards the user. By strategically placing the non-permeable and semi-permeable material in the apparels construction the desired athletic chalk distribution can be achieved. 
     In order to provide access for filling the pocket with athletic chalk yet prevent inadvertent athletic chalk spillage a pocket closure  8  has been fashioned to seal the pocket opening in this embodiment. 
     Although the present invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other implementations and adaptations are possible. Moreover, there are advantages to individual advancements described herein that may be obtained without incorporating other aspects described above. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein. 
     Alternate Embodiment 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , a pair of athletic shorts  12  is shown in this alternate embodiment. The primary material used in a typical pair of athletic shorts is predominately polyester or a polyester blend that is non-permeable. High spandex content or compression type material is also a popular material choice. 
     In the disclosed embodiment, a pocket has been fashioned to contain athletic chalk. The outer side of the pocket is comprised of a second layer  9  of semi-permeable material to allow athletic chalk to be transferred when contact is made on the surface. The inner side of the pocket is constructed from a base layer  10  of non-permeable material to prevent the transfer of athletic chalk inwards towards the user. By strategically placing the non-permeable and semi-permeable material in the apparel&#39;s construction the desired athletic chalk distribution can be achieved. 
     In order to provide access for filling the pocket with athletic chalk yet prevent inadvertent athletic chalk spillage the pocket opening  15  and closure seal is incorporated into the waistband as seen in  FIG. 6 . The pocket opening  15  and closure seal in this embodiment is comprised of an outer waistband  13  and inner waistband  14 . The inner side waistband  14  is connected to the base layer  10  that forms the inner side of the pocket. The outer side waistband  13  and inner side waistband  14  are both made of an elastic, stretch material which contracts to form around the user&#39;s waist. The ability of the elastic material used in the outer side waistband  13  and inner side waistband  14  to stretch will force the pocket opening  15  to close and seal off the pocket containing the athletic chalk, therefore, preventing the athletic chalk from spilling. 
     Although the present invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other implementations and adaptations are possible. Moreover, there are advantages to individual advancements described herein that may be obtained without incorporating other aspects described above. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.