Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a surface for drawing or writing. More particularly, this invention relates to a deformable and reusable portable chalkboard kit.
Writing and drawing utilizing chalk is a form of expression that dates back to the Prehistoric era. Throughout history utilizing chalk has migrated to various areas including art studios, classrooms, streets, etc. Recently, chalk has become popular, most significantly, among adolescents, who apply chalk to sidewalks, i.e., writing and drawing, because there is no need to clean it up. Due to its inherent non-permanent nature, rain or lawn sprinklers are usually enough to wipe the sidewalk surfaces clean. However, a major drawback to chalk writing and drawing on sidewalks is that it is an indicator that children live in a particular house that corresponds to the marked-up sidewalk. This can be a luring factor to neighborhoods for child predators, sex offenders, and other individuals with malicious intentions preying on adolescents.
One current approach to circumvent this issue is to utilize chalkboards within the household. For example, classroom chalkboards may be utilized upon the walls of the household. However, the inherent chalk dust produced by chalk when pressed upon a vertical planar surface structure of a chalkboard results in a significant amount of chalk dust to be cleaned up. Also, there may be an increased risk of respiratory issues caused by extended inhalation of chalk dust that results from erasing chalk marks from a chalkboard, which falls from the board into the atmosphere. In addition, traditional chalkboards are generally rigid and, when provided in certain sizes, become burdensome to move and store due to the weight and size. They also require a substantial amount of blank wall space, which is often at a premium in homes.
What is needed is a chalkboard kit configured to circumvent the aforementioned issues.
The invention provides a reusable chalkboard kit that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type.
In some embodiments, a reusable chalkboard kit is provided, the kit including a deformable vinyl substrate; an underlayment layer configured to allow the deformable vinyl substrate to frictionally engage a stabilizing surface; at least one writing implement; and an eraser component configured to remove one or more markings on the deformable vinyl substrate generated by the at least one writing implement.
In some embodiments, the deformable vinyl substrate includes a first side and a second side opposing the first side configured to house or retain the underlayment layer.
In some embodiments, the underlayment layer has a weight that holds the deformable vinyl substrate in a shape that substantially matches a surface upon which the underlayment layer rests.
In some embodiments, the second side is configured to frictionally engage the stabilizing surface via the underlayment layer.
In some embodiments, the underlayment layer includes a plurality of weights which may include adhesives and the stabilizing surface includes a carpet structure.
In some embodiments, the eraser component is a fabric-based cleaning cloth configured to eliminate the one or more markings.
In some embodiments, the deformable vinyl substrate is generally flat and configured to retain the one or more markings.
In some embodiments, the at least one writing implement are chalk-based.
In some embodiments, the deformable vinyl substrate comprises an extended configuration and a storage configuration in which the deformable vinyl substrate is configured to be rolled up in order to enter into the storage configuration.
In some embodiments, a method of using a reusable chalkboard kit is presented in which the method includes unrolling a deformable vinyl substrate into an extended configuration; attaching or retaining an underlayment layer to a second side of the deformable vinyl substrate; deformable vinyl substrate frictionally engaging a stabilizing surface via the underlayment layer; applying one or more markings to a first side of the deformable vinyl substrate via a at least one writing implement; removing the one or more markings from the first side of the deformable vinyl substrate; and rolling the deformable vinyl substrate into a storage configuration.
Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can 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 of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.
Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.
The present invention provides a novel and efficient reusable chalkboard kit configured to include a deformable vinyl substrate; at least one chalk-based writing implement; and an eraser component configured to remove markings from the deformable vinyl substrate due to the use of the at least one writing implement on the substrate. The deformable vinyl substrate has an underlayment layer capable of frictionally engaging a floor surface.
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In some embodiments, eraser component 110 is a fabric-based cleaning cloth including but not limited to cotton, velvet, silk, wool, denim, satin, felt, rayon, any combination thereof, or any other applicable fabric. However, eraser component 110 is designed and configured to remove one or more markings from deformable vinyl substrate 102 without emitting chalk dust from at least one writing implement 108 in the air. In some embodiments, eraser component 110 may be a set of diluted wipes configured to remove the one or more markings in a manner that does not leave chalk residue. In some embodiments, the set of diluted wipes may be fabric-based which carry an acid including but not limited to vinegar, hydrochloric, or any other applicable acid or derivative of acid that effectively eliminates or removes chalk from the active deformable vinyl substrate.
It is to be understood that deformable vinyl substrate 102 is configured to be composed of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, adhesive vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, or any other applicable type of material known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Deformable vinyl substrate 102 is designed to be composed of flexible and durable material that allows the deformable vinyl substrate 102 to be sturdy enough to write/draw on but also ductile enough to be collapsible/compactable or rollable. In some embodiments, deformable vinyl substrate 102 includes an extended configuration (typically a flat configuration) and a storage configuration. In the extended configuration, deformable vinyl substrate 102 is laid out rendering a generally flat, writable surface. It is to be understood that in the preferred embodiment deformable vinyl substrate 102 extends horizontally.
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In some embodiments, the plurality of marginally allocated weights 114a-n are configured to be in contact at two or more contact points on the first side 104 to ensure that deformable vinyl substrate 102 is properly frictionally engaged at two or more points for an optimal stable resting on the stabilizing surface. In some embodiments, weights 114a-n may include adhesives, releasable glue, magnets, snaps, clasps, hooks, hook & loop (VELCRO®), or any other applicable mechanism for assisting the maintenance of the frictional engagement between substrate 102 to the stabilizing surface known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the underlayment layer 112 is embedded in second side 106; however, in other embodiments, the underlayment layer 112 is allocate along deformable vinyl substrate 102. The underlayment layer 112 is designed and configured to provide a secured engagement of deformable vinyl substrate 102 onto the stabilizing surface in a manner such that deformable vinyl substrate 102 may not be removed from the stabilizing surface without a substantial amount of pressure or force applied by the user, such as a pulling force. It is to be understood that other pressures and forces applied to deformable vinyl substrate 102 may be employed to remove second side 106 from the stabilizing surface are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
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The claims appended hereto are meant to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention.