Ski pole equipment securement device

Abstract

A ski equipment securement device having a body formed by a C-shaped member is adapted for removable engagement to a pair of snow skis and the poles used with the skis. A strap is engageable around the skis and to both ends of the body forming the C-shaped member to hold the skis adjacent and in a connection to the securement device. An opening in the body of the C-shaped member is sized to hold one or both ski poles and forms a handle to carry the engaged ski equipment.

Claims

1. A ski equipment securement apparatus, comprising: a substantially C-shaped member having a body, said body having a first member section and a second member section; said second member section extending from a first end of said body, to a curved area of said body; said first member section extending from said curved area to a distal end thereof; said body having an exterior surface opposite an interior surface; said interior surface defining an opening situated between said first member section and said second member section, said opening accessible through a passage located in-between said distal end of said first member section and said second member section; a strap, said strap in a connection at a first end thereof, with said first end of said body; a second end of said strap in a connection to a clip; a clip connector positioned at or adjacent said first end of said strap; a curved pathway extending upon said exterior surface of said body upon said first member section thereof and around said curved portion thereof and upon said second member section thereof; said clip positionable to a removable engagement with said clip connector; a side surface of said strap contacting said curved pathway with said clip in said removable engagement; a blocking portion of said strap positioned across said passage, with said clip in said removable engagement; said C-shaped member adapted for positioning to an engaged position thereof with at least one ski pole positioned within said opening, and with said clip in said removable engagement with said clip connector, to thereby hold said strap in an encircling contact thereof against exterior surfaces of a pair of skis, whereby a said pole within said opening is prevented from removal through said passage by said blocking portion of said strap, and is employable as a handle to carry said skis while said C-shaped member is in said engaged position.

2. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: a recess formed in said exterior surface of said body of said C-shaped member, said recess located along said curved pathway; and said contact of said side surface of said strap with said exterior surface of said body along said pathway, being within said recess.

3. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: said strap having a first portion, and having a second portion formed of elastic material; said elastic material imparting compression to said encircling contact of said strap with said exterior surfaces of said pair of skis to form a compressive encircling contact thereof with exterior surfaces of a pair of skis.

4. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising: said strap having a first portion, and having a second portion formed of elastic material; said elastic material forming a biased said side surface contact with said exterior surface of said body within said recess; and said elastic material during imparting compression to said encircling contact of said strap with said exterior surfaces of said pair of skis to form a compressive encircling contact thereof with exterior surfaces of a pair of skis.

5. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: said body of said C-shaped member being formed of pliable material; and movement of said first member section toward said second member section with said C-shaped member in said engaged position, imparting a compressing contact of said interior surface defining said opening against exterior surfaces of a ski pole therein.

6. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising: said body of said C-shaped member being formed of pliable material; and movement of said first member section toward said second member section with said C-shaped member in said engaged position, imparting a compressing contact of said interior surface defining said opening against exterior surfaces of a ski pole therein.

7. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising: said body of said C-shaped member being formed of pliable material; and movement of said first member section toward said second member section with said C-shaped member in said engaged position, imparting a compressing contact of said interior surface defining said opening against exterior surfaces of a ski pole therein.

8. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising: said body of said C-shaped member being formed of pliable material; and movement of said first member section toward said second member section with said C-shaped member in said engaged position, imparting a compressing contact of said interior surface defining said opening against exterior surfaces of a ski pole therein.

9. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising: said recess defined by ribs positioned on opposing sides of said recess along said curved pathway.

10. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising: said recess defined by ribs positioned on opposing sides of said recess along said curved pathway.

11. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 6, additionally comprising: said recess defined by ribs positioned on opposing sides of said recess along said curved pathway.

12. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising: said recess defined by ribs positioned on opposing sides of said recess along said curved pathway.

13. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising: said second portion of said strap formed of a first section of elastic material engaged between a connection point with said first portion of said strap and said clip, and a second section of elastic material engaged between said connection point and said clip.

14. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising: said second portion of said strap formed of a first section of elastic material engaged between a connection point with said first portion of said strap and said clip, and a second section of elastic material engaged between said connection point and said clip.

15. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 6, additionally comprising: said second portion of said strap formed of a first section of elastic material engaged between a connection point with said first portion of said strap and said clip, and a second section of elastic material engaged between said connection point and said clip.

16. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 7, additionally comprising: said second portion of said strap formed of a first section of elastic material engaged between a connection point with said first portion of said strap and said clip, and a second section of elastic material engaged between said connection point and said clip.

17. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising: said second portion of said strap formed of a first section of elastic material engaged between a connection point with said first portion of said strap and said clip, and a second section of elastic material engaged between said connection point and said clip.

18. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 10, additionally comprising: said second portion of said strap formed of a first section of elastic material engaged between a connection point with said first portion of said strap and said clip, and a second section of elastic material engaged between said connection point and said clip.

19. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 11, additionally comprising: said second portion of said strap formed of a first section of elastic material engaged between a connection point with said first portion of said strap and said clip, and a second section of elastic material engaged between said connection point and said clip.

20. The ski equipment securement apparatus of claim 12, additionally comprising: said second portion of said strap formed of a first section of elastic material engaged between a connection point with said first portion of said strap and said clip, and a second section of elastic material engaged between said connection point and said clip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features of the ski equipment securement device herein. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the ski equipment securement device showing a strap having a first portion engaged with a substantially C-shaped member and a second portion thereof attached to a clip which is removably engageable to a connector on the C-shaped member.

(3) FIG. 2 depicts an overhead view of the device as in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the device of FIGS. 1-2 and also showing a pathway by a recess formed on an exterior surface of the C-shaped member which is configured for a biased positioning of the elastic second portion of the strap therein to an engaged position, with the clip removably engaged to the connector on the C-shaped member as shown in FIG. 5.

(5) FIG. 4 depicts another mode of the device herein substantially the same as that of FIG. 1-3 where the strap is formed entirely of elastic material.

(6) FIG. 5 shows the device of FIGS. 1-4 positioned in an engaged position with the elastic portion of the strap exerting a biasing force to hold the two skis in fixed positions relative to each other, and concurrently hold the poles within a ski pole clamp area within the C-shaped member.

(7) Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(8) In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only. Such prepositions are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

(9) Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-5, there is seen in FIG. 1 a perspective view of the ski equipment securement device 10 in a disengaged configuration. As shown, the device 10 in all modes includes a strap 12 extending from an engagement at a first end to a C-shaped member 14, to an engagement of a second end of the strap 12 to a clip 16. While the clip 16 is shown as a hook-like fastener, it may be any fastener which is adapted for a removable connection to a mating fastener located on the C-shaped member 14 or on the strap 12 adjacent the C-shaped member 14. As depicted the fastener is shown as the hook-like clip 16 and the mating fastener is shown as a ring-like clip connector 40. However, such should not be considered in any fashion as other fasteners removably engageable to mating fasteners may be employed such as snaps, buttons, hooks, hook and loop material, or fasteners as would occur to those skilled in the art.

(10) As shown in all figures herein, at least a first portion 17 of the strap 12 is formed of elastic material. Elastic strap material is preferred for at least a portion of the strap 12 to provide a biasing force when the strap 12 of the device 10 is in a stretched engagement encircling ski equipment such as skis 20 and poles 22 (FIG. 5). The provided biasing force from the elongated elastic material, better holds the compressed contacting surfaces of adjacently positioned skis 20 stationary relative to each other. The biasing force also enhances the frictional contact of the strap 12 where it contacts surfaces of the skis 22, to better hold the strap 12, and the engaged device 10, in a fixed position encircling the two skis 20. A second portion 18 of the strap 12 may be formed of non-elastic material such as nylon or polyester or other woven or non woven belt or strap material such that it maintains substantially a fixed length. By substantially is meant that when stretched the second portion 18 maintains its non stretched length plus or minus 10 percent.

(11) While the strap 12 may be formed entirely of elastic material where the first portion 17 of the strap 12 runs the entire length of the strap 12 such as in FIG. 4, it was found in experimentation that forming the strap in a first portion 17 which is elastic and second portion 18 which is substantially fixed in length, and non-elastic, provided a more durable device 10, which better frictionally engaged around the exterior surfaces of skis 20 to which it is adapted to circumferentially engage.

(12) While it was originally thought that the strap 12 entirely of elastic material would work better to hold the device 10 and skis 20 stationary, unexpectedly in experimentation it was found that the non-elastic second portion 18 when used, maintained the position of the device 10 better when circumferentially contacting the surfaces of adjacent skis 20 when engaged as in FIG. 5. As such, the device 10 adapted for engagement around adjacent skis 20 and poles 22 in all modes has at least a first portion 17 of the strap 12 formed of elastic material, and preferably has a second portion 18 of the strap 12 formed of material which is substantially fixed in length.

(13) Shown in FIG. 2, is an overhead view of a particularly preferred configuration of the device 10 where the first portion 17 of the strap formed of elastic material is engaged between the clip 16 and a connection point 24 at a second end of the second portion 18 of the strap 12. While this connection point 24 is shown as a connecting member 26 with two openings 28 at opposing ends, it might also be formed by sewing, riveting, or other connections between the second end of the second portion 18 of the strap 12 and one end of the first portion 17 of the strap 12.

(14) As shown in FIG. 2, the employment of a connecting member 26 with openings 28 at opposing ends, allows the elastic first portion 17 of the strap 12 to be formed of two sections 17a and 17b, thereby doubling the biasing force of the elastic first portion 17 of the strap 12. This configuration also allows the second portion 18 of the strap 12 to form a looped connection through the opening 28 of the connecting member 26, and engage a distal end of the second portion 18 of the strap 12 with an adjustment member 30. This adjustment member 30 provides for a length adjustment of the second portion 18 of the strap, between a first end thereof engaged with the C-shaped member 14 and the second end thereof engaged to one end of the elastic first portion 17 of the strap 12.

(15) Additionally shown in FIG. 2, and other figures herein, is a curved recessed ramp 32 formed by a recess into the exterior surface 33 of the C-shaped member 14 in between opposing raised edges, or as shown, shoulders 34. The ramp 34 in the form of such a recess, extends around all of, or at least the curved area 36 of the C-shaped member 14. This ramp 32 provides a secure positioning of the elastic first portion 17 of the strap 12, in between the raised portions or shoulders 34, such that when the device 10 is in the engagement with the ski equipment as in FIG. 5, the first portion 17 of the strap 12 is located within a recessed pathway 38 (FIG. 3) and will not slide from either side edge of the C-shaped member 14.

(16) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the device of FIGS. 1-2 and also showing the recessed pathway 36 defined by the ramp 32 which is recessed into the exterior 33 surface of the C-shaped member 14. As can be seen, in moving to the engagement of the device 10 as shown in FIG. 5, the clip 16 is engaged to a clip connector 40, and pulls and stretches the elastic first portion 17 of the strap 12, which locates into the recess provided by the ramp 32. As shown, the recess forming the ramp 32 is located in between the opposing raised side edges or shoulders 24 formed on the exterior 33 surface of the C-shaped member 14. The recess into the exterior surface of the C-shaped member forming a ramp 32 is preferred as it maintains the biased contact of the elastic first portion 17 of the strap 12, within and against the surface of the ramp 32, which extends around the curved area 36.

(17) To achieve the removable engagement with ski equipment to which the device 10 is adapted, when the device 10 is circumferentially engaged around two contacting adjacently positioned skis 20, as in FIG. 5, the clip 16 is pulled to stretch the first portion 17 of the strap 12, which settles into the recess and on the surface of the ramp 32, as the clip 16 is engaged to the clip connector 40. The biasing force exerted by the stretched elastic first portion 17 of the strap 12 is communicated to the second portion 18 of the strap 12, which frictionally contacts against portions of exterior surface of the two skis 20. The contact against the surfaces of the two adjacent skis holds the skis 20 in position relative to each other, and also holds the device 10 in a fixed position encircling both skis 20.

(18) As shown in FIG. 4 the portion of the strap 12 formed of elastic material, can include the entire length of the strap 12. In this mode, as can be discerned, the elastic material is formed by a first section 17a extending between the engagement to the clip 16 and the C-shaped member 14. The second section 17b (not shown) will extend from the clip 16 to the adjustment member 30.

(19) As noted, FIG. 5 shows the device 10 of FIGS. 1-4, positioned in an engaged position with ski equipment such as two skis 20 adjacent and in contact with each other, and one or a plurality of poles 22. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIGS. 1 and 3 herein, a pole clamping area is formed by an opening 42 formed between opposing sides of the C-shaped member 14, and a passage 44 provides access for the poles 22 into and out of the opening 42.

(20) With the device 10 in the engaged position of FIG. 5, a portion of the strap 12 encircling the skis 20, is positioned to block the passage 44 and thereby maintain the poles 22 within the opening 42 as long as the device 10 is located to the engaged position. Ski poles 22 as is well known, conventionally have handles on one end opposite a tip on the other end. At the tip end, what is known as a basket which is the disc like object just above the tip, surrounds the pole and is so positioned to stop the ski pole from sinking too far into the snow. Also well known and not shown are loops located on each handle of ski poles to secure them to the wrists of the user.

(21) As shown, with the diameter of the opening 42 being substantially equal to that of the poles 22 to which the opening 42 is adapted to encircle, or at least smaller than a diameter of the handle and/or the basket on the poles 22, the poles 22 cannot slide out of opening 42 along the axis of the poles 22. Further, with the strap 12 blocking the passage 44, the poles 22 cannot move out of the opening 42 through the passage 44. Additionally, as noted, one or both of the ski handle loops may first be engaged to encircle both skis to provide an engagement of the handle ends of the poles to the skis to hold the poles 22 substantially parallel to the skis 20 when the device 10 is in the engaged position of FIG. 5.

(22) As such, with the device 10, in the engaged position of FIG. 5, it is held in a substantially fixed engagement at a mounting position on the skis 20 which are encircled by the strap 12, and the poles 12 are held within the opening 42 by the blocking of the passage 44 by the encircling strap 12. Thus, the user may hold the poles 22, and thereby carry the skis 20 comfortably and easily with one hand.

(23) Further, while the C-shaped member 14 may be formed of metal or polymeric or other material having the strength and durability to handle the ongoing engagement with ski equipment, in another preferred mode, the material forming the C-shaped member is sufficiently flexible to allow a deflection and move one or both of a first member section 46 on one side of the passage 44 and a second member section 48 on the opposing side of the passage 44 closer to each other. This deflection will narrow the gap forming the passage 44 and will also narrow a diameter D (FIG. 3) of the opening 42 which is situated in between the first member section 46 and second member section 48.

(24) The narrowing of the diameter D of the opening 42, causes the first member section 46 and/or second member section 48, to deflect, and thereby form a compressive engagement with sides of the poles 22 located within the opening 42 with an interior surface 43 forming the opening 42. This forms a more secure engagement with the poles 22 to which the device 10 is adapted to removably engage along with the skis 20.

(25) While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the removably engageable ski equipment securement device have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.