Belt chalker

Abstract

A belt chalker includes a securing device made of a hook and loop fastener that is able to be wrapped around a user's belt. A game accessory is covered on all four sides with a mating material that matingly engages on at least one side with the hook and loop fastener so that the game accessory is removably securable to the securing device and is readily available to the user.

Description

A. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 60/523,562 filed on Nov. 19, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

B. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of game accessories. More specifically, the present invention is related to accessories used while playing billiards, pool, snooker and/or other games using a cue stick.

C. Discussion of Prior Art

While playing snooker, billiards or pool, players rub or place chalk on the ends of their pool sticks to produce better contact with the cue ball. The chalk is usually in the form of a small, hand-held block, typically a cube, surrounded by a paper wrapper. One side is exposed so as to allow players to rub the end of their sticks in contact with the chalk.

With frequent handling, such as after several hours of play, the paper may be torn and the chalk broken. Consequently, players risk getting chalk powder or dust on their hands, clothing, and cloth of playing table.

A major distraction during play is that players have to find the chalk by walking around the table numerous times. Ironically, placing the chalk on the table rail where it is most visible is a visual distraction when players try to make difficult shots. Moreover, placing chalk on the rail invites knocking or dropping it onto the billiard table and dirty the play area. Thus, players often inadvertently hide the chalk by placing it on other furniture where it is easily lost, placing it in ball returns when playing on commercial tables where the chalk is crushed when balls are released for the next play, or placing the chalk in an out of the way spot of the playing field.

The latter is most disadvantageous since pieces of broken chalk, chalk powder, or the chalk itself can easily get into the felt covering and be rubbed into it.

Therefore, what is needed is a device that allows a billiards player to have or hold the chalk, or a game accessory, at all times since it is beneficial to the player's concentration on the game rather than the location of the chalk. Furthermore, what is needed is a device that massively minimizes the chance of dirtying the player's hands or billiard tables from pool chalk is needed. A system that allows a player to know the location of small game accessories is needed in the art.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A game accessory attachment system comprises a hook and loop material secured to a user. A mating material of hook or loop material is attached to the game accessory, such that the game accessory is attachable and detachable from the first section of material on the user.

Preferably, the attachment system is used with billiard chalk, thus, allowing a player to carry the chalk during game play. In the preferred embodiment the hook and loop material is wrapped around the belt of the user and the mating material covers all four sides, i.e. peripheral sides, of the billiard chalk. The mating material may be attached with an adhesive or be self-adhesive and in one embodiment may extend above the top portion of the billiard chalk to protect the user from chalk powder.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of one embodiment of a belt chalker.

FIG. 2A illustrates a rear view of a securing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of a securing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2C illustrates a securing device in a wrapped position.

FIG. 3 is a view of one embodiment of a gaming accessory of the present invention.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is illustrated and described in a preferred embodiment, the device may be produced in many different configurations, forms and materials. There is depicted in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and the associated functional specifications for its construction and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention of a belt chalker provides a system to retain a chalk block on a player's body or clothing. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment a belt chalker. Belt chalker 5 comprises a securing device 10 that is preferably wrapped and secured around a pants belt 30 of a billiards player as further described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C. Therein, a first section of the securing device 10 is secured to a player, such as a billiards (or pool) player, and a game accessory 20, such as a chalk block, is secured to a section of mating material 21.

Referring, now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C which depict a rear, a first front, and a second front view of one embodiment of securing device 10. Securing device 10 preferably comprises a front 12, a back 14, a top 16, and a bottom 18. Preferably, securing device 10 is formed from one piece of hook and loop material. One suitable type of hook and loop material is marketed as Velcro™ manufactured by Velcro Industries B.V.

For example, in one embodiment front 12 may comprise the hook material while back 14 comprises the loop material. Therein, a player is able to wrap and fold securing device 10 around belt 30 and secure top 16 and bottom 18 together in a wrapped position, as shown in FIG. 2C. As top 16 is folded down, back 14 is secured to front 12 proximate to bottom 18. That is, the hook material on back 14 of end 16 is secured to the loop material on front 12 of end 18.

Alternatively in another embodiment, front 12 may comprise the loop material and back 14 may comprise the hook material. Securing device 10 is then similarly secured.

In one preferred embodiment, securing device 10 is wrapped around a player's belt 30, which is further discussed below.

FIG. 3 is a view of one embodiment of a game accessory that is preferably used with the present invention.

The game accessory may be, for example, a block of billiard or pool chalk as depicted in FIG. 3. For example, game accessory 20 includes exposed a side top 22, having an indentation 24 which is used to chalk up the pool stick, and peripheral sides 26. A mating material 21 is disposed on game accessory 20. Mating material 21 has on one side a hook or a loop material, which matingly engages with the hook and loop material of securing device 10. On the other side, mating material 21 preferably has a self-adhesive for attachment to game accessory 20. The self-adhesive side of mating material 21 is applied to all peripheral sides 26 of game accessory 20 so that it is removably attached to securing device 10. The mating material, additionally wraps back over the first wall to give it greater longevity without that overlapping. The paper underneath would rip, ruining the chalk attachment. In one embodiment, material 21 is attached to all sides 26 via the self-adhesive side of material 21.

The addition of mating material 21 around sides 26 allows the player to handle the game accessory 20 without the risk of getting chalk powder or dust on the player's fingers. Advantageously, applying mating material 21 on all sides 26 of the game accessory 20 provides greater protection from the surrounding paper coming off. Since players usually carve a deeper indentation into the chalk block as the chalk is used, supportively wrapping all peripheral sides 26 prevents used chalk blocks from breaking apart on players.

Alternatively, mating material 21, which is applied to sides 26, may also extend above the actual chalking surface to further decrease the chance of getting chalk on the users fingers. For example, material 21 may extend {fraction (1/16)} inch above the top of the chalk providing a barrier to top 22.

Returning to FIG. 1, securing device 10 may be, in one embodiment, a first piece of hook and loop material that is 3 inches by 4 inches, while mating material 21 on game accessory 20 may be 1 inch by 5 inches. This permits a second strengthening layer to be wrapped around and adhered over the first layer. Front 12 is exposed on player's body by folding securing device 10 around belt 30 by approximately 6 inches to the left or right of the belt buckle.

Thus, a player has game accessory 20 readily at his/her side. Game accessory 20 is then easily removed from front 12. It is as easily reattached by pressing it onto the securing device 10.

Therein, the orientation of the hook and loop material may be easily alternated. If front side 12 comprises hook material, peripheral sides 26 of game accessory 20 chalk comprise mating material 21 having loops such that it may lock with securing device 10. Alternatively, should front 12 comprise loop material; sides 26 comprise mating material 21 having hooks.

Belt chalker 5 as described above provides several advantages. A player may now better concentrate on the game without searching for the chalk. Furthermore, the chance of getting chalk powder or dust on the player's hand is reduced or eliminated. The player may consistently grasp the chalk in the same way, providing intuitive chalking, permitting more focus on play and less focus on the chalk. Belt chalker 5 also reduces the distraction of a chalk block resting on the edge of a table. More importantly, players need not fumble around searching for chalk, to move the chalk out of another player's field of vision or worse lose the chalk block. The chalk no longer needs to be moved out of the way when a player is taking a shot. Also, since game accessory 20 is secured to the player, the risk of knocking the chalk onto the table and dirtying the table is eliminated. This errant chalk on the actual playing area changes the roll and the direction of the roll.

A system and method has been shown in the above embodiments for the effective implementation of a belt chalker. While various preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. For example, the present invention should not be limited by size, materials, or specific manufacturing techniques. Although the preferred embodiment is used in the game of billiards, other games that utilize small accessories would also benefit from this invention. Further, although the device is described as being secured to a belt, the device should not be limited to one specific area on a user's body, and may be secured to additional areas or pieces of clothing. Other known removable attachment materials may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

A magnetic device exists but is not as effective, mechanically speaking because it falls off quite easily, and certainly, does not keep the player's hands clean.

Claims

1. A game accessory attachment system for a user for retaining a game accessory having at least one side, the system comprising:

a securing device secured to a user; and

a mating material attachably covering all peripheral sides of the game accessory and being removably securable to the securing device in a mating engagement.

2. A game accessory attachment system as per claim 1, wherein the securing device comprises a hook and loop material and the mating material comprises one of a hook material and a loop material.

3. A game accessory attachment system as per claim 2, wherein the securing device is secured around a belt of the user.

4. A game accessory attachment system as per claim 2, wherein the securing device is folded and secured in an end-to-end relationship.

5. A game accessory attachment system as per claim 1, wherein the game accessory is billiard chalk.

6. A game accessory attachment system as per claim 5, wherein the mating material extends above a top of the billiard chalk to protect the user from chalk powder.

7. A game accessory attachment system as per claim 1, wherein the mating material section is attached to the game accessory by an adhesive.

8. A game accessory attachment system as per claim 1, wherein the mating material comprises a self-adhesive side for attaching to the game accessory.

9. A game accessory attachment system as per claim 1, wherein the mating material attachably covers the game accessory so as to have two non-peripheral sides of the game accessory uncovered.

10. A game accessory attachment system as per claim 1, wherein the mating material attachably covers all sides of the game accessory.

11. A belt chalker for retaining a block of chalk, the belt chalker comprising:

a securing device secured to a user; and

a mating material attachably covering all peripheral sides of the block of chalk and being removably securable to the securing device in a mating engagement.

12. A belt chalker as per claim 11, wherein the securing device comprises a hook and loop material and the mating material comprises one of a hook and loop material.

13. A belt chalker as per claim 12, wherein the securing device is secured around a belt of the user.

14. A belt chalker as per claim 12, wherein the securing device is folded and secured in an end-to-end relationship.

15. A belt chalker as per claim 11, wherein the mating material extends above a top of said chalk to protect said user from chalk powder.

16. A belt chalker as per claim 11, wherein the mating material comprises a self-adhesive side for attaching to the block of chalk.