U.S. patent number 3,753,359 [Application Number 05/191,755] was granted by the patent office on 1973-08-21 for locking ski clamp.
Invention is credited to Max Frey.
United States Patent |
3,753,359 |
Frey |
August 21, 1973 |
LOCKING SKI CLAMP
Abstract
A clamp is provided for locking together the curved tips of skis
for the purpose of discouraging theft. A pair of outside clamp
plates clamps the two skis securely on opposite sides of a center
plate, the parts being fastened in clamped position by a padlock.
By clamping together the curved end portions, bottom to bottom, the
main flat portions of the two skis are disposed at a wide angle to
each other making an awkard and very conspicuous bundle which a
thief cannot carry away unnoticed. If the back ends of the skis are
deeply embedded in a snow bank at such an angle to each other, the
application of the clamp to the upstanding front ends makes the
skis impossible to remove from the snow and carry away without
first digging them out of the snow. By securing the ski pole straps
in the clamp, a tripod is formed for standing the skis and poles on
the ground or on a floor.
Inventors: |
Frey; Max (Portland, OR) |
Family
ID: |
22706810 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/191,755 |
Filed: |
October 22, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
70/19; 70/232;
70/58; 280/814; 24/336 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C
11/006 (20130101); Y10T 70/411 (20150401); Y10T
24/344 (20150115); Y10T 70/5009 (20150401); Y10T
70/5867 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
A63C
11/00 (20060101); A63c 011/00 (); E05b
073/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;70/18,19,58,232
;280/11.13T,11.37A,11.37C,11.37E,11.37K,11.37R ;24/73SG,81SK |
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
108,704 |
|
Oct 1943 |
|
SW |
|
618,637 |
|
Mar 1927 |
|
FR |
|
489,149 |
|
Dec 1952 |
|
CA |
|
869,255 |
|
Apr 1971 |
|
CA |
|
Primary Examiner: Craig, Jr.; Albert G.
Claims
I claim:
1. A ski clamp comprising a pair of plates arranged to clamp a pair
of skis together, resilient ski-engaging pads on said plates,
adjustable screw means operable on said plates to apply clamping
pressure against the skis, a lock bar arranged to prevent
adjustment of said screw means, and locking means arranged to
secure said lock bar in operative position, said adjustable screw
means comprising a pair of screws in one of said plates, a pair of
links connected with the other plates and adjustable by said
screws, said lock bar being pivotally mounted on one of said screws
and engageable with the other screw to prevent rotation of both
screws.
2. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1 including a center plate
having resilient ski engaging pads on its opposite faces.
3. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1, said locking means including
a padlock.
4. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1, said lock bar comprising a
hasp.
5. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1, said clamp having an open
space to receive and lock ski pole straps or a cable to the
clamp.
6. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1, one of said links having
detachable engagement with said lock bar adjacent said one screw
and the other link being pivotally connected to said other
screw.
7. A ski clamp as defined in claim 6, said lock bar having a slot
receiving said one link.
8. A ski clamp as defined in claim 6, said links comprising spring
wire loops.
9. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1 applied to the upturned front
end portion of a pair of skis with the skis disposed bottom to
bottom in said clamp with their rear ends in widely divergent V
configuration.
10. A ski clamping arrangement as defined in claim 9 including a
pair of ski poles having strap loops secured in said clamp, said
skis forming two legs of a tripod and said ski poles forming the
third leg.
11. A ski clamp comprising a first clamp plate having a pair of
bolt holes adjacent its ends, a second clamp plates having a pair
of bolt holes aligned with said bolt holes in said first clamp
plate, a pair of bolts in said holes, wing nuts on said bolts
arranged to bear against said first clamp plate to clamp a pair of
skis between said clamp plates, a channel-shaped lock bar pivotally
mounted at one end on one end of said first clamp plate, the
opposite end of said lock bar projecting beyond the opposite end of
said first clamp plate, a pair of slots in said lock bar to receive
said wing nuts and prevent rotation thereof on said bolts, one of
said slots extending into said projecting end of the lock bar, and
an L-shaped end on said second clamp plate arranged to pass beyond
said opposite end of said first clamp plate and project through
said one slot, said L-shaped end being apertured to receive a
padlock and said locking bar forming a hasp to lock said clamp.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a clamp for clamping a pair of skis
together in divergent positions so a to discourage theft.
The theft of expensive skis presents a serious problem at ski
resorts where large numbers of skiers congregate Skis are so long
and cumbersome to carry that they are ordinarily not carried along
with the user when he goes indoors from time to time to seek warmth
or obtain food. When the skis are left outside during such
intervals of non-use, they present an irresistible attraction to
thieves. Heretofore, the only way to prevent such theft has been
for the user to carry the skis along with him at all times or lock
them inside his automobile, both of which expedients are extremely
inconvenient.
Objects of the invention are, therefore, to provide a clamp for
clamping and locking a pair of skis securely together, to provide a
clamp for clamping the curved tips together bottom to bottom so
that the skis will be divergent from each other at a wide angle,
making an awkward and conspicuous bundle for a thief to carry, to
provide a locking clamp which will hold a pair of skis securely
embedded in a snow bank in inverted V configuration, and to provide
a clamp for both skis and ski poles securing them together in such
a way as to form a tripod which will stand on the ground or on a
floor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The device comprises a pair of outer clamp plates arranged to clamp
the curved end portions of a pair of skis bottom to bottom on
opposite sides of a center plate with the skis extending at a wide
divergent angle relative to each other. The parts are locked in
clamped position. This presents a very awkward and conspicuous
bundle for a thief to carry, making it impossible for him to carry
the skis away unnoticed.
If the back ends of the skis are embedded in a snow bank with the
front ends inclined toward each other bottom to bottom before the
clamp is applied, they cannot be removed without digging them out
of the snow. If the straps of the ski poles are looped into the
clamp, a tripod is formed which will stand in stable position on
the ground or on a floor. Two embodiments of the locking device are
disclosed having the features described.
The invention will be better understood and the foregoing and other
objects and advantages will become apparent from the following
description of the preferred embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Various changes may be made in the details
of construction and arrangement of parts and certain features may
be used without others. All such modifications within the scope of
the appended claims are included in the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view with parts broken away, showing a
first form of locking clamp embodying the features of the invention
applied to a pair of skis shown in broken lines;
FIG. 2 is a view on the line 2--2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view on the line 3--3 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows how the ski poles may be included in the clamp to form
a tripod;
FIG. 5 shows how the skis may be locked together while embedded in
the snow;
FIG. 6 shows how the skis may be clamped together in nested
relationship and locked to a cable;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a modification;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the clamp in FIG. 7 showing the clamp
in partially open position in broken lines; and
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the clamp showing all the parts in
open position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The first embodiment, designated generally at 9, is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 to 6. As viewed in FIG. 2, the device comprises,
essentially, a lower clamp plate 10, a center plate 11 and an
uppper outside clamp plate 12. The lower and upper clamp plates
clamp a pair of skis S on opposite sides of the center plate 11.
The center plate may be omitted but it is preferred to clamp the
skis against a center plate rather than against each other.
In order to avoid marring the skis and provide more secure clamping
action, the clamping surface of each lower and upper clamp plate 10
and 12 is covered with a layer of rubber or plastic 13 and a pair
of plastic covered metal strips 14 is crimped on opposite edges of
center plate 11. These resilient pads tightly engage the surfaces
of the skis and apply clamping pressure to the skis as best shown
in FIG. 3, preventing the skis from being forcibly removed.
The three plates 10, 11 and 12 are apertured to receive a pair of
bolts 15 equipped with wing nuts 16. The distance between the bolts
15 is preferably less than the width of the main portions of the
skis whereby the application of the clamp is limited to the curved
and tapered front ends which are of less width than the main, flat
portions of the skis. Thus, when the skis are disposed bottom to
bottom and wing nuts 16 are tightened, the main portions of the
skis will diverge downwardly from each other at a wide angle in
inverted V configuration as shown. If desired, however, the bolts
15 may be spaced apart sufficiently to admit the wider flat
portions of the skis in other clamped relationships.
In tightening the wing nuts 16, care is taken to align them
lengthwise of plate 10. A channel-shaped lock bar 20 is pivotally
connected to one end of plate 10 by a pin 21 in the flanges of the
channel. The wing nuts 16 are at least partially contained within
the channel of the lock bar 20 when the latter is closed thereby
preventing turning of the wing nuts. The wing nuts may extend
partially into longitudinal slots 22 and 23 in the web portion of
lock bar 20, which slots likewise prevent rotation of the wing
nuts.
In applying the clamp to the skis, lock bar 20 is pivoted to open
position as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2, allowing the wing nuts
16 to be tightened, compressing the resilient pads 13 and 14. When
lock bar 20 is closed to its solid line position, its side flanges
overlie opposite sides of plate 10 as shown. Clamp plate 12 is of
L-shape having an annular end 25 arranged to project through slot
22. This projecting end is apertured at 26 to receive a padlock 27
which prevents opening lock bar 20. Lock bar 20 is a form of hasp.
Other types of lock may also be employed.
Thus, padlock 27 holds the channel-shaped lock bar 20 over the wing
nuts 16 so that they cannot be rotated whereby the skis cannot be
removed from the clamp. As shown in FIG. 2 the straps 30 on ski
poles P may be looped over the end 25 of clamp plate 12 in order to
secure the ski poles as well as the skis. Also, the clamps on
several pairs of skis may be locked together by a loop of steel
cable 31.
As shown in FIG. 4, the ski poles may be arranged to form the third
leg of a tripod for standing the skis and poles upright on the
ground or on a floor.
FIG. 5 shows how the clamp 9 may be utilized to prevent removal of
the skis from a snow bank 35. If the back ends of the skis are
pushed into the snow at divergent angles as shown and the clamp
applied to the curved front ends as above described, it is
impossible to remove the skis without first shovelling away the
snow. Having done this, the thief would still have to carry the
skis in the widely divergent relationship shown, making him quite
conspicuous. Also, in this relationship it would be difficult to
conceal the skis inside of a passenger automobile or to carry them
on the car top.
FIG. 6 shows another arrangement for safeguarding the skis. In this
case the clamp 9 is applied with the skis in nested position and
the end 25 of clamp plate 12 is hooked over a steel cable 36 before
the padlock 27 is applied. The opposite ends of cable 36 are
anchored to a pair of posts or trees 37. With this compact
arrangement of the skis, a large number may be locked to a single
cable 36 provided for the purpose.
A modified form of construction is embodied in the clamp 40 in
FIGS. 7 to 9. As viewed in FIG. 8, this clamp has a lower outside
clamp plate 41, a center plate 42 and an upper outside clamp plate
43. Here, again, the center plate 42 may be omitted but it is
preferred to provide this means to separate and grip the skis. The
upper and lower clamp plates are equipped with the rubber or
plastic strips 13 and the center clamp plate is equipped with
crimped plastic covered metal plates 14 as above described. The
clamp 40 further includes a lock bar 45 and all of these parts are
secured together in assembled relationship by a pair of links made
in the form of spring wire loops 46 and 47.
A pair of adjusting screws 50 and 51 are threadedly mounted in
tapped holes in opposite ends of upper clamp plate 43. A plate 52
is fixedly mounted in a slot in the upper end of screw 50 by a pin
49, this plate having a hole at 53 forming a bearing for one end of
the wire loop 46. The opposite end of wire loop 46 is received in a
bearing formed by a hole 54 in one end of lower clamp plate 41. The
two legs of wire loop 46 extend slidably through holes at 55 in the
corresponding end of center plate 42. The opposite ends of plate 42
are equipped with stop pins 56 adjacent the wire loops 46 and
47.
One end of lock bar 45 is pivotally connected to the head of
adjusting screw 51 by a pin 59. Above and slightly to the right of
pin 59 is a slot 60 to receive the upper end of wire loop 47. The
lower end of wire loop 47 is contained in a bearing formed by a
hole 61 in the end of lower clamp 41. The opposite legs of wire
loop 47 extend through notches 62 in the corresponding end of
center plate 42.
The central portion of lock bar 45 is spaced above upper clamp
plate 43 to receive the ski pole straps 30 and a steel cable 31.
The free swinging end portion of lock bar 45 contains a U-shaped
bend 65 which is longitudinally slotted at 66 to receive the plate
52. The end portion of plate 52 which enters slot 66 contains an
opening 67 to receive the padlock 27 which prevents opening the
lock bar. Lock bar 45 is a form of hasp. Other types of lock may
also be employed.
Screws 50 and 51 are adjusted to provide a tight clamping action on
the skis which are to be clamped, compressing the resilient pads 13
and 14. These screws provide a wide range of adjustment to
accommodate skis of different thickness as indicated by the broken
line position of upper clamp plate 43 in FIG. 8.
Starting with the upper parts in fully open position as shown in
FIG. 9, the clamp is closed by swinging wire loop 46, center plate
42 and lower clamp plate 41 clockwise about hole 53 as a pivot to
positions under the upper clamp plate 43, and the lock bar 45 is
raised to upright position as shown in broken lines in FIG. 8.
Then, with the skis in position on opposite sides of center plate
42, the free end of wire loop 47 is engaged in the slot 60 and lock
bar 45 is swung down to its solid line position so that it may be
secured by the padlock 27. A lock bar 45 is rotated clockwise, the
upper end of wire loop 47 is swung to overcenter position relative
to pivot pin 59. This clamp has the same versatility as described
in connection with FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 with reference to the first
embodiment.
The advantage of the modification in FIGS. 7 to 9 is its quick and
convenient clamp and release action. The parts are placed in tight
clamping position by merely engaging wire loop 47 in slot 60 and
swinging lock bar 45 into position to receive the padlock without
tightening any clamp screws after they have once been adjusted to
the skis. The clamping 40 is released by merely taking off the
padlock and raising lock bar 45 to disengage wire loop 47 from the
slot 60 without unscrewing any clamp nuts. Otherwise, the clamping
action is essentially the same as in the first embodiment. When
clamp screws 50 and 51 are properly adjusted, the resilient pads 13
and 14 prevent forcible removal of the skis.
It will be observed that screws 50 and 51 can be rotated only when
the clamp is fully open as shown in FIG. 9. The engagement of plate
52 in slot 66 of lock bar 45 prevents rotation of both screws.
* * * * *