U.S. patent application number 14/268378 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-27 for ski and sports equipment carrier: ski mule.
The applicant listed for this patent is Brian J. Amend, Joyce P. Amend. Invention is credited to Brian J. Amend, Joyce P. Amend.
Application Number | 20140346209 14/268378 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51934697 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140346209 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Amend; Brian J. ; et
al. |
November 27, 2014 |
SKI AND SPORTS EQUIPMENT CARRIER: SKI MULE
Abstract
Ski Mule is a unique fabric, soft-sided, foldable sling that
functions as a means to carry multiple pairs of snow skis and ski
poles, or any other sports equipment, including snowboards, with
the aid of shoulder and/or handle straps. Ski Mule's easy-to-load
system has been designed as a `Grab'n go` Sling for the purpose of
being able to horizontally transport a single pair of skis, or
multiple pairs of skis, or a snowboard, or snowboards, or sports
equipment by a single individual. Snow skis and/or other sports
equipment may be placed in the center of the Ski Mule and lifted by
straps for hands-free transport. The design allows for the sling to
be folded and secured with closures. The design may also allow for
backpack-style carrying.
Inventors: |
Amend; Brian J.; (Rye,
NH) ; Amend; Joyce P.; (Rye, NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Amend; Brian J.
Amend; Joyce P. |
Rye
Rye |
NH
NH |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51934697 |
Appl. No.: |
14/268378 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61818622 |
May 2, 2013 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/600 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 11/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/600 |
International
Class: |
A63C 11/02 20060101
A63C011/02 |
Claims
1-33. (canceled)
34. A carrier for transporting elongate athletic equipment,
comprising: a) a planar fabric body having a first portion and a
second portion, wherein the elongate athletic equipment is placed
along a central region bordering the first and second portions; b)
a plurality of internal straps attached to an interior face of the
planar fabric body for securing the elongate athletic equipment to
the interior face of the carrier; c) a plurality of carrying straps
attached to peripheral portions of the first and second portions of
the planar fabric body for carrying the carrier when loaded with
the elongate athletic equipment; and d) a plurality of fastening
straps attached an exterior face of the planar fabric body for
securing the apparatus in a closed folded condition when the
elongate athletic equipment is loaded into the carrier.
35. The carrier of claim 34, wherein the plurality of carrying
straps include shoulder straps for carrying the apparatus over a
shoulder of user.
36. The carrier of claim 34, wherein the plurality of carrying
straps include handle straps for carrying the apparatus.
37. The carrier of claim 34, wherein the plurality of carrying
straps are attached to each other to prevent slippage of the
apparatus on the shoulder.
38. The carrier of claim 37, wherein the plurality of carrying
straps are attached to each other by a hook and loop closure
wraps.
39. The carrier of claim 38, wherein the plurality of carrying
straps include a padded portion for bearing against a user carrying
the carrier.
40. The carrier of claim 34, wherein the planar fabric body is
formed at least in part from fabric material.
41. The carrier of claim 40, wherein the fastening straps are
formed from more than one material.
42. The carrier of claim 40, wherein the fastening straps plurality
of at least two different lengths.
43. The carrier of claim 34, wherein the carrier is formed from
materials that are resistant to tearing and mold formation.
44. The carrier of claim 34, wherein the planar body includes a
supporting reinforcement interior panel positioned in the interior
center of the fabric for supporting the elongate athletic
equipment.
45. The carrier of claim 44, wherein the supporting reinforcement
interior panel is formed from a foam material enclosed within a
fabric sheath.
46. The carrier of claim 34, further comprising a supporting
reinforcement external panel.
47. The carrier of claim 44, wherein the supporting reinforcement
external panel is formed from a foam material enclosed within a
fabric sheath.
48. The carrier of claim 34, wherein the outside edge of the fabric
is finished with binding tape or a hemmed edge.
49. The carrier of claim 34, wherein the top carrying end of the
apparatus is secured with closures.
50. The carrier of claim 49, wherein the closures are located along
substantially along the full edges of the planar fabric body.
51. The carrier of claim 34, wherein an exterior surface of the
carrier includes a plurality of pouches for transporting additional
items.
52. The carrier of claim 34, further including elongate athletic
equipment enclosed therein, the equipment extending beyond the
width of the apparatus.
53. The carrier of claim 52, wherein the elongate athletic
equipment enclosed therein includes a pair of skis.
54. The carrier of claim 52, wherein the elongate athletic
equipment enclosed therein includes a pair of snow skis.
55. The carrier of claim 52, wherein the elongate athletic
equipment enclosed therein includes a snowboard.
56. The carrier of claim 52, wherein the elongate athletic
equipment enclosed therein includes a plurality of snowboards.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Many challenges exist with the easy and safe transport of
skiing equipment. The present disclosure provides improvements in
the area of transporting athletic equipment, particularly ski
equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] For the purpose of this disclosure, "Ski Carrier", "Ski
Mule.TM. carrier", "Ski Mule.TM. Sling", "carrier", "mule" and
"sling" are used interchangeably. Ski Mule.TM. is a trademark and
refers to the unique Ski and Sports Equipment Carrier being
discussed in this disclosure.
[0003] Embodiments of the disclosure provide an easy technique to
quickly transport skis or other sports equipment from a vehicle to
a destination. The Ski Mule.TM. carrier allows multiple pairs of
skis or other sports equipment to be supported and carried in a
horizontal position by the use of handles and/or shoulder straps.
Once equipment is unloaded from The Ski Mule.TM. carrier, the
carrier may be folded and stored, or carried on a person's back
using existing or added strapping.
[0004] Embodiments of the Ski Mule.TM. carrier can be a shoulder,
or hand-held, multiple ski and sports equipment carrier that solves
a common problem among sports enthusiasts: that of transporting
multiple sports items horizontally in a hands-free or hand-carry
fashion. The Ski Mule.TM. carrier allows one individual to
transport skis or other sports equipment from one location to
another with the aid of an easy-to-load sling as described herein.
It may be manufactured in various colors, and in a variety of sizes
to accommodate adults and children. It may be manufactured and
trademarked under the name of Ski Mule.TM. and marketed as a
Multi-Ski Carrier, Ski Carrier, Sports Equipment Carrier, Ski Sling
or `Grab'n Go Ski Sling`, among others.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] FIG. 1 presents a side view of a carrier made in accordance
with the disclosure in a closed condition.
[0006] FIG. 2 presents a plan view of a carrier made in accordance
with the disclosure in an opened condition ready to receive
equipment to be transported.
[0007] FIG. 3 presents an embodiment of a carrier made in
accordance with the disclosure in a further orientation.
[0008] FIG. 4 presents an embodiment of a carrier made in
accordance with the disclosure in yet a further orientation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Herein, `equipment` refers to, but is not limited to the
following: a single pair of skis with or without ski poles,
multiple pairs of skis with or without ski poles, a snowboard,
multiple snowboards, any other sports equipment, any equipment that
needs to be transported using a carrier as described herein or
similar. The Ski Mule.TM. carrier is a means to transport such
equipment by one individual.
[0010] The Ski Mule.TM. carrier is unique in that the transported
equipment can be carried in a horizontal fashion, and the equipment
is carried in a sling-like device (see FIG. 1). The equipment is
easily loaded into the Ski Mule.TM. carrier and may be carried with
the aid of a shoulder or handle strap(s).
[0011] The Ski Mule.TM. carrier may be used to carry equipment,
such as snow skis, from a vehicle to a ski lodge or any building or
location. The Ski Mule.TM. carrier may be used to carry equipment
from any location to a vehicle. The Ski Mule.TM. carrier may be
used to transport equipment from one location to another.
[0012] To use the Ski Mule,.TM. carrier, a user opens the carrier
and lays it flat. Equipment is placed on a supporting panel inside
the Ski Mule.TM. carrier (see white center panel indicated in FIG.
2). The interior strap or straps are wrapped around the equipment
to secure it in place. Wrapping straps may be any material and any
length (FIG. 2). Then the Ski Mule.TM. carrier is lifted using the
straps or handles. Shoulder straps may rest on a person's shoulder
for hands-free transport. Handles may allow for transport by
hand-gripping. The supporting interior panel may, or may not, be
included in the construction of the Ski Mule.TM. carrier.
[0013] The Ski Mule.TM. carrier may be made from, e.g., a
heavy-duty fabric material, or fabric-like material, such as
Cordura.RTM. or duck material. The material may be resistant to
water, tearing or mold. Another embodiment can include material
that is not resistant to water, tearing or mold, such as canvas.
The fabric material may be cut in a regular or irregular shape with
opposite sides being equal or unequal (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.) The
overall width of the Ski Carrier from side to side, is greater than
4 inches and less than 96 inches. The overall, unfolded length of
the Ski Carrier from top to bottom is greater than 4 inches and
less than 96 inches.
[0014] The Ski Mule.TM. carrier may have internal straps to hold
the equipment in place. (see FIG. 2). There may be none or more
interior straps that are of a material such as, but not limited to,
Velcro.RTM., polyester or nylon material. The straps have a means
to hold themselves together after they have been wrapped around the
equipment. The means to hold the straps together can be any
strap-holding industry device such as, but not limited to,
Velcro.RTM. material or buckles. The width of the interior strap(s)
may be between 0.00001 inches and 10 inches. The length of the
interior strap(s) may be between 0.00001 and 96 inches. (see FIG.
2).
[0015] The Ski Mule.TM. carrier may have carry strap(s) or
handle(s) for transport. These straps are referenced as shoulder
and hand straps in FIG. 1. The shoulder straps are for carrying the
carrier on an individual's shoulder. The carry straps can be of a
material such as, but not limited to, nylon, polyester, rope or
leather. The width of the strap(s) can be between 0.00001 inches
and 16 inches. The length of the shoulder straps can be between
0.00001 inches and 240 inches. The width of the handle straps can
be between 0.00001 inches and 10 inches. The length of the handle
straps can be between 0.00001 inches and 240 inches. The shoulder
and/or handle straps may have a system of uniting the straps to
prevent slippage on the shoulder. This unification system may be
Velcro.RTM. material, a Velcro.RTM. closure, handle wraps or the
like. (see FIG. 2). The shoulder strap(s) and/or handle strap(s)
may have a padded portion for cushioning against a person's body
while transporting the Ski Mule.TM. carrier. Certain materials may
be added to the shoulder straps for friction against the body in
order to prevent slippage.
[0016] The Ski Mule.TM. carrier may, or may not, have an internal
or external reinforcement and/or support panel (see FIG. 2). The
reinforcement panel may be used to provide additional support for
the equipment being carried. The supporting panel may be
constructed of foam, Volara.RTM. material, or other suitable
material that may or may not be enclosed inside a sheath or
sleeve.
[0017] Those skilled in the art of sewing may, or may not, choose
to construct the Ski Mule.TM. carrier in a different manner other
than as described below:
[0018] The Ski Mule.TM. carrier is constructed with fabric that is
cut to a desired shape (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The entire outside
edge of the fabric may or may not be finished with binding tape or
hemmed edge. It may also be left unfinished. If reinforcement or a
supporting panel is used, then a sleeve or other means may be cut
to fit the interior of the carrier. The reinforcement or supporting
panel may or may not be inserted into a sleeve or sheath attached
by any other means and stitched according to the recommendations of
those skilled in the art of sewing. Interior straps may be attached
by sewing, gluing or other industry manufacturing method. Carry
straps may, or may not wrap around the entire carrier to form the
shoulder straps (see FIG. 1). The carry straps may be 0.00001
inches to 240 inches in overall length, and any width between
0.00001 inches to 12 inches wide. (see FIG. 1). The carry straps
may be attached anywhere on the carrier. The carry straps may be
attached to the exterior of the carrier, but may also be attached
to the interior of the carrier. The carry straps may or may not
continue along each side of the exterior or interior of the carrier
in either a continuous or non-continuous fashion. Reinforcement
stitching such as "X" boxes, or line stitching may or may not be
added anywhere on the Ski Mule.TM. carrier for additional stitching
support. (see FIG. 1). The carry straps may be attached by sewing,
gluing or by any other industry manufacturing means. The angles of
the carry straps system have been calculated and placed in such a
manner so as to wrap-around and support. The angles of the straps
may be at 85 degrees or between 100 degrees and 0 degrees (see FIG.
1) or may be placed at any other angle(s). Zero, one or more pleats
may be added to the top of each side to eliminate bunching (see
FIG. 1).
[0019] In one embodiment, the exterior sides of the Ski Mule.TM.
carrier may not be sewn, sealed, or closed together, but may be
left open, whereas equipment may extend beyond the width of the Ski
Mule.TM. carrier. In another embodiment, the sides of the Ski
Mule.TM. carrier may be sewn, sealed or closed, which would keep
the equipment enclosed. Additionally, the top carrying end of the
carrier may or may not be secured with closure(s). If the top and
sides are secured with closures, the closures may run the entire
length of the top and sides, or the closure may close partial parts
of the top and sides, such as enclosing one or both ends so as to
protect the contents. The exterior of the Ski Mule.TM. carrier may
also include one or more pouches or pockets of any configuration
for the purpose of carrying sundry or other items. Additionally, a
logo, or logos may be added anywhere to the exterior or interior
for branding, (see FIG. 1).
[0020] The Ski Mule.TM. carrier is pliable and may be folded in a
number of ways so as to allow transport on a person's back or for
storage in another duffle bag, on a shelf or similar. (see FIG. 3
and FIG. 4). It may also be inverted and folded to expose the logo
on the exterior of the mule. The exterior or interior of the Ski
Mule.TM. carrier may also include one or more straps that will
fasten and secure the Ski Mule.TM. carrier in the closed position
once it is folded. (see FIG. 4). One way of folding the Ski
Mule.TM. carrier is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. When folded in the
stow-away or back-carry position, the shape may be quadrilateral,
triangular, rectangular or any other multi-sided shape, (see FIG.
4). Additionally, the Ski Mule.TM. carrier may be folded into any
shape and carried on a person's back with the aid of existing or
added straps and/or closures. There may, or may not be, a strap or
device to secure and/or to hold the Ski Mule.TM. carrier closed
when in a folded position. (see FIG. 4).
* * * * *