Ski binding rescue device

Abstract

A ski binding rescue device having an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to a pair of skis to form a sled. The device attaches to the bindings of a pair of skis and serves to maintain the skis in a parallel orientation. The device has an attachment mechanism for attaching to the toe portion of a ski binding and to the heel portion of a ski binding. The device has one or more rigid lengths that span between the ski binding attachments to serve to connect and maintain the skis in a parallel orientation and potentially to provide an area to place a person to be moved on the sled or other goods.

Claims

1. A device for use with a pair of skis comprising a first ski and a second ski with mounted ski bindings, each ski binding having a toe clamp and a heel clamp, said device comprising: a toe member comprising an elongated, rigid body being of sufficient length such that said toe member is configured to span a width between each of said pair of skis when said skis are placed adjacent to one other on the ground as is common during use, wherein said toe member comprises a first toe mount and a second toe mount, wherein said first toe mount and said second toe mount are configured to attach to the toe clamp of said first ski and the toe clamp of said second ski, each of said toe mounts attachable to said toe member such that said toe member with affixed toe mounts operates as a single unit; a heel member comprising an elongated, rigid body with a first heel end and a second heel end and being of sufficient length such that said heel member is configured to span the width between said pair of skis when said skis are placed adjacent to each other on the ground as is common during use, wherein said heel member comprising a first heel mount and a second heel mount, wherein said first heel mount and said second heel mount are configured to attach to the heel clamp of said first ski and the heel clamp of said second ski, each of said heel mounts attachable to said heel member such that said heel member with affixed heel mounts operates as a single unit with each heel mount remaining capable of being engaged by one of said heel clamps, wherein said heel member comprises at least one strap attachable to said heel member at said first heel end and at said second heel end and capable of encompassing said heel clamps in their side-by-side position thereby affixing said heel member with integrated heel mounts to said heel clamps, wherein, upon securing said toe member with affixed toe mounts into said toe clamps, and securing said heel member with affixed heel mounts into said heel clamps, said pair of skis is coupled such that the pair of skis and connecting toe member and heel member function as a single unit, wherein said device is configured to attach to a pair of skis and said pair of skis are configured to form a sled when said device is attached to said ski.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said toe member and said heel member are each expandable and retractable in length.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said toe member and said heel member include a locking device capable of locking said toe member and said heel member at a desired length.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said toe mounts comprise a first indentation and a second indentation, wherein said indentations are configured to receive opposing pins of a TECH style toe clamp binding.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said toe mounts and said heel mounts are configured to engage with a pin-tech style Alpine Touring ski binding.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said toe member and said heel member are affixed to one or more pieces of securing material configured for securing cargo.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said heel member comprises at least two straps attachable to said heel members at said first heel end and said second heel end and capable of encompassing said heel clamps in a side-by-side position thereby affixing said heel member with attached and engaged heel mounts to said heel clamps.

8. A method of forming a sled utilizing a pair of skis, said pair of skis having a first ski and a second ski, wherein said first ski and said second ski comprise a ski binding comprising a toe clamp and a heel clamp, said method comprising the following steps: the step of providing a binding toe connector having a first toe clamp connection member and a second toe clamp connection member, wherein said binding toe connector comprises a rigid length separating said first toe clamp connection member and said second toe clamp connection member; the step of providing a binding heel connector having a first heel clamp connection member and a second heel clamp connection member, wherein said binding heel connector comprises a rigid length separating said first heel clamp connection member and said second heel clamp connection member, wherein said binding heel connector comprises at least one strap attachable to said binding heel connector at said first heel connection member and capable of encompassing both of said heel clamps in clamp connection member and said second heel clamp side-by-side position thereby affixing said binding heel connector a to said heel clamps; the step of attaching said binding toe connector to said pair of skis, wherein said step comprises connecting said first toe clamp connection member to said first ski at said ski binding toe clamp and attaching said second toe clamp connection member to said second ski at said ski binding toe clamp; the step of attaching said binding heel connector to said pair of skis, wherein said step comprises connecting said first heel clamp connection member to said first ski at said ski binding heel clamp and attaching said second heel clamp connection member to said second ski at said ski binding heel clamp such that said first ski and said second ski are in a generally parallel orientation and maintained in said orientation by said binding toe connector and said binding heel connector; and the step of attaching a cargo to a sled formed by the aforementioned steps.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said toe clamp connection members and said heel clamp connection members are configured to engage with a pin-tech style Alpine Touring ski binding.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said toe connector and said heel connector are each expandable and retractable in length.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said toe connector and said heel connector comprise openings configured for the attachment of straps.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said toe connector and said heel connector comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, titanium, and high strength plastic.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said toe clamp connection members comprise a first indentation and a second indentation, wherein said indentations are configured to receive opposing pins of a TECH style toe clamp binding.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ski binding rescue device depicting the toe member and heel member engaged with a pair of pin-tech ski bindings.

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of a ski binding rescue device engaged with a pair of ski bindings mounted on a pair of skis.

(3) FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the ski binding rescue device depicting the toe member and heel member engaged with pin-tech ski bindings, with the toe member in the foreground showing the attached toe mounts engaged with the toe portion of pin-tech ski bindings.

(4) FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a heel member with openings configured for insertion of pins on the back of pin-tech ski bindings.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ski binding rescue device depicting the toe member and heel member attached to pin-tech ski bindings, with the heel member in the foreground showing the integrated heel mount recesses engaging the pins.

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a pin-tech style toe binding attached to the toe connector of a ski binding rescue device.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a pin-tech style toe binding in an open setting illustrating the mating point between recesses on the ski binding rescue device in relation to the pins of the toe portion of a pin-tech style binding.

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a ski binding rescue device attachment mechanism to a rear binding.

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a ski binding rescue device attachment mechanism to a rear binding.

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a ski binding rescue device attachment mechanism to a rear binding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(11) While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims.

(12) While in the depicted embodiment the device is depicted as integrating with pin-tech AT style bindings, the inventive concepts disclosed herein is not limited to pin-tech AT style bindings. The inventive concepts can be utilized with traditional alpine bindings or any other style binding, including telemark or frame style bindings. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are not limited to AT style bindings, as clip-in bindings, such as those used for cross country skiing, and NNN bindings, requiring only a toe piece, may be utilized as may future binding devices.

(13) FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the inventive concepts of the ski binding rescue device 10 depicting the toe member 12 and heel member 20 engaged with a pair of pin-tech ski bindings attached to a pair of skis. FIG. 1 depicts the toe member 12 and the heel member 20 attached to the toe clamp and heel clamp, respectively, of the ski bindings 18, 36. Because the depicted bindings are pin-tech AT style, the heel piece of the bindings is rotated such that the pins face the tail of the ski. FIG. 1 shows the heel member 20 engaged with the pins of the heel portions of the heel binding 36.

(14) FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the ski rescue device attached to a pair of skis with mounted bindings. Toe member 12 is attached toe mounts 14 in an engaged state. FIG. 2 depicts the toe member 12 as a solid piece of metal, to which are attached two toe mounts 14. A variety of ski binding toe pieces are available on the market, and further embodiment compatible with this variety of toe pieces are within the scope of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The toe mounts 14 are configured such that they are capable of being engaged by the toe clamps of the pin-tech ski bindings (Shown in FIGS. 6-7) through the incorporation of toe piece 16 on either side of each toe mount 14. The toe mounts 14 of FIG. 2 are removable from the toe member 12.

(15) FIGS. 3-4 are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of an embodiment of the inventive concepts of the ski binding rescue device 10 depicting the toe member 12 and heel member 20 engaged with pin-tech ski bindings. The toe member 12 in the foreground showing the attached toe mounts 14 engaged with the toe clamps 32 of pin-tech ski bindings 18. The toe clamps 32 of the pin-tech ski bindings 18 are clasping the toe mounts 14 of the toe member 12 by engaging toe mount recesses 16 on either side of each toe mount 14, which mimic the recesses found in the toe of a pin-tech ski boot. Alternatively the pin and recess format can be reversed, with the recess found on the binding and the pin found on the ski rescue device.

(16) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention attached to a pair of skis via mounted ski bindings. Heel connector 20 includes integrated heel mounts 22, heel mount recesses 24. Not shown are restraining straps 26, 28 that are included in a preferred embodiment and depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. Integrated heel mounts 22, which include heel mount recesses 24 contained within the heel member 20 and positioned such that they are capable of being engaged by the pins of the heel portion of the pin-tech ski bindings. FIG. 9 also depicts the restraining straps 26, 28 affixed to the first heel end 27 and second heel end 29 of the heel member 20. The restraining straps 26, 28 include an adjustable buckle 30 capable of connecting the restraining straps 26, 28 and tightening the connected straps to further secure the heel member 20 to the heel portion of the pin-tech bindings 36.

(17) FIGS. 6 and 7 depict the attachment mechanism of an embodiment of the invention configured for Tech or pin style toe mounts or clamps. FIG. 6 depicts the clamps in a closed position 50 attached to recesses, in the depicted embodiment an opening, 56 into which pins 54 is moved and retained. FIG. 7 depicts the clamp in an open position 52 illustrating pin 54 removed from opening 56. A corresponding opening is found on the opposite side of the toe connector and corresponding openings are located on or within the second toe connector 59.

(18) FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive concepts of the ski binding rescue device 10 depicting the mechanism of attachment of heel member 20 attached to pin-tech ski bindings, with the heel member 20 in the foreground showing the integrated heel mount recesses 24 engaging the pins. Restraining straps 26, 28 illustrated in FIG. 9 are tightened around the body of the heel bindings 36 to restrain the heel member 20 via restraining strap openings 60. Alternatively FIG. 10 illustrates individual straps 17, 19 circumvolving binding heel pieces in an alternative embodiment. FIG. 8 depicts the heel portions of the pin-tech ski bindings 36 rotated such that the pins are facing the tail of the skis. This position keeps the brake 38 in a disengaged position allowing the ski to slide along the snow with minimal resistance. The pins of the heel portions of the bindings 36 are engaged with the heel mount recesses 24 of the heel member 20 and the restraining straps 26, 28 are encompassing the bodies of the heel portions of the bindings 36. The first restraining strap 26 and second restraining strap 28 are connected via the buckle 30 forming a single restraining strap 31 which encompasses both heel pieces and thereby secures heel member 20 to the bindings 36. In FIG. 10 straps 17, 19 circumvolve individual ski bindings from each straps connection point with the heel connector 46. Optionally a simulator mechanism 42, 44 for simulating a user's heel can be utilized to engage the heel of the binding. The straps 17, 19 can utilize a tensioning member 21 to adjust the tension on the straps.

(19) Optionally the ski binding rescue device depicting the toe member 12 and heel member 20 can include an attached securing material, for example, in the form of loops affixed to the ends of the toe member 12 and heel member 20. The securing material can be used to attach additional gear for ease of transport, or assist in securing the injured person to the ski binding rescue device through the use of additional straps or other devices.

(20) While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in the Figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of this disclosure. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined herein.