U.S. patent number 3,568,902 [Application Number 04/744,197] was granted by the patent office on 1971-03-09 for device for carrying and securing ski equipment.
Invention is credited to Samuel M. Highberger.
United States Patent |
3,568,902 |
Highberger |
March 9, 1971 |
DEVICE FOR CARRYING AND SECURING SKI EQUIPMENT
Abstract
A device for use in carrying and securing ski equipment
including a U-shpaed member and a hinged member that is lockable
with respect to the U-shaped member after the U-shaped member and
hinged member are positioned around a pair of skis that are
disposed in back-to-back relationship. The device also includes a
pivotable member for locking ski poles into a fixed position, the
pivotable member being positioned so that a single locking plunger
can tie together the U-shaped member, the hinged member, and the
pivotable member thereby adapting the device to be carried or
alternatively secured to a fixed object.
Inventors: |
Highberger; Samuel M.
(Birmingham, MI) |
Family
ID: |
24991833 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/744,197 |
Filed: |
July 11, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
294/147; 211/8;
70/58; 211/70.5; 294/163; 294/142; 294/165 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C
11/006 (20130101); A63C 11/007 (20130101); Y10T
70/5009 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
A63C
11/00 (20060101); A45f 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;224/45--16,46,45,45--14,52,55,56,57 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Forlenza; Gerald M.
Assistant Examiner: Spar; Robert J.
Claims
I claim:
1. A device for securing and carrying ski equipment comprising: a
ski clamp for holding a pair of skis including a plurality of
pivotally connected ski clamp members having inner and outer
surfaces and being pivotal relative to each other between an open
position to permit insertion of a pair of skis between said members
and a closed position in which the skis are secured together and
held by said members by contacting the inner surfaces thereof
against removal from between said members; a ski pole clamping
member mounted on the outer surface of one of said plurality of ski
clamp members for pivotal movement with respect to said one ski
clamp member between an open position to permit ski poles to be
inserted between said ski pole clamping member and the outer
surface of said one ski clamp member, and a ski pole clamping
position to secure the ski poles in a position located between said
ski pole clamping member and the outer surface of said one ski
clamp member; locking member engaging elements on said ski clamp
and ski pole clamping member movable into engaging relationship
when said ski clamp members are in the closed position and said ski
pole clamping member is in its ski pole clamping position to be
engaged by a single locking member to lock said ski clamp members
against movement from the closed position and said ski pole
clamping member against movement from the ski pole clamping
position, and means defining a handle for manually transporting
said device and ski equipment attached thereto.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 further including securing means
carried by said ski clamp for securing said ski clamp to a
relatively immovable object.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said securing means
comprises an elongated flexible member having one end secured to
said ski clamp.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3 further including a locking
member carried by the free end of said elongated flexible member,
said locking member being engageable with said locking member
engaging elements on said ski clamp and ski pole clamping
means.
5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said locking member
comprises a plunger and said locking member engaging elements are
apertured for receiving said plunger, and further including a lock
carried by another of said ski clamp members for receiving said
plunger when it is inserted through said apertures and locking said
plunger against withdrawal.
6. A device as claimed in claim 3 further including a reel portion
carried by said ski clamp around which the elongated flexible
member can be wrapped for storage and transport.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said handle is mounted on
another of said ski clamp members.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said reel is on said
handle.
9. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said securing means
comprises a mounting bracket for attaching said ski clamp to a
relatively immovable object.
10. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ski clamp members
include a U-shaped member and said one ski clamp member comprises a
closure member hinged to one leg of said U-shaped member and
extending across the space between the free end of the legs of the
U-shaped member in the closed position.
11. A device as claimed in claim 10 further including a support
bracket mounted on said closure member, said ski pole clamping
member being pivotally mounted on said support bracket for movement
between a position pivoted out of engagement with said support
bracket to define the open position of said ski pole clamping
member and a position seated against said support bracket to define
the closed position thereof.
12. A device as claimed in claim 11 further including a spring
interconnected between said support bracket and said ski pole
clamping member biasing said ski pole clamping member toward the
closed position.
13. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said ski pole clamping
member includes a pair of curved ski pole receiving portions each
operable to confine a ski pole against the outer surface of said
closure member in the closed position of said ski pole clamping
means.
14. A device as claimed in claim 13 further including securing
means carried by said U-shaped member for securing said ski clamp
to a relatively immovable object.
15. A device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said securing means
comprises an elongated flexible member having one end secured to
said U-shaped member.
16. A device as claimed in claim 15 further including a locking
member carried by the free end of said elongated flexible member,
said locking member being engageable with said locking member
engaging elements on said ski clamp and ski pole clamping
member.
17. A device as claimed in claim 16 wherein said locking member
engaging elements include a lock carried by one leg of said
U-shaped member and a pair of apertured members, one of which is
carried by said ski pole clamping member and the other of which is
carried by said closure member, and wherein said locking member
comprises a plunger insertable through said apertured members and
into said lock for locked engagement with said lock.
18. A device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said closure member is
adjustably secured to said one leg of said U-shaped member to
accommodate skis of different sizes.
19. A device as claimed in claim 18 including a stop member on said
locking plunger engageable with the apertured member of said ski
pole clamping member, said stop member being adjustable to
accommodate adjustment of said closure member with respect to said
U-shaped member.
20. A device as claimed in claim 14 further including a reel
portion carried by said U-shaped member for storage and transport
of said flexible member.
21. A device as claimed in claim 20 wherein said handle is mounted
on said U-shaped member, said reel being carried on said
handle.
22. A device as claimed in claim 1 further including an elongated
flexible member for securing said device to a relatively immovable
object, said elongated flexible member having one end attached to
said ski clamp, and a reel carried by said ski clamp for storage
and transport of said elongated flexible member.
23. A device for use in carrying and securing ski equipment
comprising: first means for holding a pair of skis in fixed
relation with respect to one another; second means attachable to
said first means for holding a pair of ski poles in fixed relation
with respect to one another and with respect to the pair of skis;
third means for interlocking said first and second means; fourth
means engaging said first means for securing said first, second and
third means to an immovable object; said first means having
attached thereto a handle for manually transporting said device and
ski equipment attached thereto; said handle including means for
holding said fourth means thereon when said device is being
manually transported; said last-named means comprising a reel
portion formed with said handle into which is wrapped said fourth
means.
Description
The present invention relates to ski apparatus, and more
particularly to a device for use in carrying and securing ski
equipment.
Ski equipment is ordinarily rather expensive and additionally is of
a bulky and unwieldy nature. Therefore, it is desirable for those
participating in the sport of skiing to be able to guarantee the
security of their expensive ski equipment, as well as being
provided with means for carrying the unwieldy skis and ski poles
from one point to another. These needs are brought into sharp focus
when it is understood that skiing is generally carried on at a
mountain resort which is normally some distance from the skier's
home. Therefore, the skis must be transported on a vehicle to the
mountain resort where the skiing takes place. The resorts are
generally crowded, and the vehicle used to transport the ski
equipment to the resort is usually parked a great distance from the
place where the skiing takes place. Consequently, it is necessary
that the unwieldy skis, sometimes as long as seven feet, and a pair
of ski poles be transported from the vehicle to the point where the
skiing takes place.
The other problem, above-mentioned, relative to the securement of
the ski equipment, is also a very common problem experienced by
skiers. Usually after a skier takes several trips down the ski
slopes, a rest is needed and because of the normally low
temperatures associated with the sport of skiing, this rest takes
place within a ski lodge. This necessitates the skier removing the
skis and placing them in a convenient place near the outside of the
lodge. Due to the great expense of ski equipment, it is desirable
that some means be provided that will prevent the unauthorized
removal of the skis by unknown persons. Most ideally, the device
that is used for carrying the skis and ski poles is combined with
the security device so that the skier is presented with the minimum
amount of paraphenalia.
Generally speaking, the prior art has not been responsive to the
above-mentioned need of a skier in that only separate devices have
been provided for carrying skis and for securing skis in such a
manner that they cannot be unauthorizedly taken. Further, the types
of devices shown in the prior art for locking skis or securing them
in some manner are not of the character that would readily permit
adapting the same device to be used for carrying the skis from one
point to another. In other words, a typical means shown in the art
for securing ski poles to a pair of skis is by placing some kind of
cable or chain through the handle loops of the ski poles and
passing the loop also around a fixed object such as a tree. This
means that the pair of skis normally are held in juxtaposition but
the ski poles are loose with respect to the skis. Therefore, this
type of device cannot be readily used to carry the skis and ski
poles in that they are not fixed with respect to one another.
Other prior art devices present ski equipment carriers wherein the
skis and ski poles are fixed with respect to one another but the
devices are of such a type that they are not adaptable for being
locked or secured in some manner. Therefore, the state of the prior
art is such that ski equipment carriers and ski security devices
have not been combined into a convenient device with a dual
purpose.
The subject invention contemplates the solution to the
aforementioned problems by providing a device for use in carrying
and securing ski equipment comprising first means for holding a
pair of skis in fixed relation with respect to one another, second
means attachable to the first means for holding a pair of ski poles
in fixed relation with respect to one another and with respect to
the pair of skis, third means for interlocking the first and second
means, and fourth means engaging the first means for securing the
first, second and third means to an immovable object. The device as
above described, includes a handle for manually transporting the
device and ski equipment attached thereto from place to place. More
specifically, the device includes a substantially U-shaped member
for receiving a plurality of skis and a closure member hinged with
respect to the U-shaped member for moving into engagement with the
skis and being interlockable with the U-shaped member to hold the
skis in fixed relation with respect to one another. The ski pole
holder includes an element pivotally supported by the closure
member and biased with respect thereto, the element having a
plurality of curved portions adapted to engage the shaft of the ski
poles. A locking means is then provided which passes through
aligned apertures in the U-shaped member, the closure member, and
the element holding the ski poles, the locking means including a
plunger of elongated form and a lock member adapted to receive the
plunger in several axial positions so that the apparatus is adapted
to maintain different dimensioned skis in a relatively fixed and
secured condition.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved device for use in carrying and securing ski equipment
comprising means for securing skis and ski poles together to a
relatively immovable object and for holding the skis and ski poles
fixed with respect to one another, and means adapted to allow
manual transportation of the skis and ski poles while they are held
fixed together and out of securement with respect to a relatively
immovable object.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an
improved device of the type described in the previous object
wherein a portion of the means for securing skis and ski poles
together is inactivated and secured to the last-mentioned means
when the ski equipment is being manually transported from place to
place.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
improved device for use in carrying and securing ski equipment
comprising first means for holding a pair of skis in fixed relation
with respect to one another, second means attachable to the first
means for holding a pair of ski poles in fixed relation with
respect to one another and with respect to a pair of skis, third
means for interlocking the first and second means, and fourth means
engaging the first means for securing the first, second and third
means to an immovable object.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an
improved device according to the previous object wherein the first
means includes a handle for manually transporting the device and
ski equipment attached thereto.
Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention
will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood
by reference to the following detailed description when considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of the subject device shown in its
operative environment;
FIG. 2 is a view in increased scale of the device shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the device shown in the
unlocked position;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 with the
device shown in the locked position;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 but with
the device shown in the unlocked position;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the subject device
illustrating the adjustment feature;
FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a modification of the ski pole
holding mechanism;
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the device of FIG. 1 but modified
for use in a permanent installation;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of another modification of the
subject device shown utilizing a combination lock;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the subject
device;
FIG. 15 is a view taken in the direction of the arrows 15-15 of
FIG. 14; and
FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along lines 16-16 of FIG. 14.
Referring to FIG. 1, a device, generally designated by numeral 10,
is designed for use in carrying and securing ski equipment. Device
10 is attached to a pair of skis, in a manner to be hereinafter
described, which are disposed in back-to-back relationship. The
device engages the skis at a point between portions 14 and 16 of a
binding diagrammatically shown, it being understood that any type
binding can be used. This prevents device 10, when assembled, from
being casually slid off either end of skis 12.
Referring to FIG. 1, a first means in the form of a ski camp
generally designated by numeral 18 is utilized for holding a pair
of skis in fixed relation with respect to one another. Second means
in the form of ski poles clamping means, generally designated by
numeral 20, is attachable to first means 18 for holding a pair of
ski poles 16 and 15 in fixed relation with respect to one another
and with respect to the pair of skis. Third means, in the form of a
locking member designated by numeral 22, interlocks first means 18
and second means 20. Fourth means, generally designated by numeral
24, engages first means 18 for securing the first, second and third
means to an immovable object such as a tree.
The first means, or ski clamp 18, as seen in FIG. 6, generally
comprises a plurality of pivotally connected ski clamp members
including a substantially U-shaped member 26 for receiving a
plurality of skis 12 and a closure member 30. U-shaped member 26
has padded material 28 attached to an inside portion thereof in any
well-known manner and is designed to prevent damage to the exterior
finish of the skis. Closure member 30, hinged at 32, is moved into
engagement with skis 12 and is interlockable with U-shaped member
26, in a manner to be hereinafter described, to hold skis 12 in
fixed relation with respect to one another. Closure member 30 also
has padding 34 fixed thereto in any well-known manner similar to
padding 28. In FIG. 6, closure member 30 is shown pivoted away from
U-shaped member 26 to an open position such as would be the
configuration as skis 12 are inserted originally into the device
10.
Referring to FIG. 2, second means 20 is seen as comprising an
angled support bracket 36, affixed to closure member 30 in any
well-known fashion such as by welding. A similarly angled bracket,
or ski pole clamping member, designated by reference numeral 38
passes through an aperture in closure member 30 and is pivoted
therein and is biased into engagement with angled bracket 36 by
spring arrangement 40. Therefore, as designed, the ski pole
clamping member, or bracket 38 is disposed so that it is biased
toward angled bracket 36 because of the bias of spring 40. Bracket
38 has a plurality of curved portions 42 integrally formed
therewith, best seen in FIG. 5. Portions 42 are adapted to engage
the outer periphery of the shafts of ski poles so that when the
baskets 43 of the ski poles are hooked over the tip of skis 12, the
angular disposition is such that the shafts of ski poles 16 are
held under tension by spring 40 against device 10. It is understood
that as the ski pole 16 extends from the tip of the ski, one
portion of each of the poles will come into engagement with the
edge of the ski as the ski poles extend past the side of the ski
toward the second means 20. Therefore, depending on the length of
the ski pole and the length of the skis, the combination of the two
determines the exact position of device 10; spring 40 will take up
any lost motion therebetween resulting in the ski poles 16 being
fixed with respect to one another and fixed with respect to skis
12.
Referring to FIG. 2, third means 22 is provided for interlocking
first means 18 and second means 20. In the embodiment of FIGS.
1--9, third means 22 generally comprises a "Travel Lock" carried by
U-shaped member 26 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6 and designated by
numeral 44. Lock 44 includes an elongated plunger 46 having
serrations 47 on exterior edges thereof, adapting a ratchetlike
connection of plunger 46 to the tumblers in lock 44.
Referring to FIG. 5, plunger 46 passes through aligned aperture 48
in closure member 30 and aperture 50 formed in flange 52 of bracket
38. Plunger 46 includes a stop member 54 so that when plunger 46
passes through apertures 54 and 50 and into lock 44, stop 54
engages the outside surface of flange 52 in which aperture 50 is
disposed causing closure member 30, U-shaped member 26 and bracket
38 to be interlocked. In other words, third means 22 interlocks
first means 18 and second means 20 so that the release of plunger
46 from lock 44 can be effected only by possession of the
particular key suited to lock 44.
Referring to FIG. 2, fourth means generally designated by the
numeral 24 includes an elongated element 56 shown herein in the
form of a cable, but it is understood that the elongated element
can take any form such as a chain that is adapted to engage plunger
46 at one end as seen at 58 and secured at the other end to
U-shaped member 26 in similar fashion. Element 56 is adapted to be
passed around an immovable object, such as a tree or a portion of a
vehicle, to prevent the casual disassociation of device 10 and ski
equipment attached thereto from the object.
Referring to FIG. 3, a handle 58 is integrally formed with or
attached to U-shaped member 26 in any well-known fashion. Handle 58
has a reel portion 60 integrally formed therewith that is adapted
to have element 56 wrapped therearound while the device is being
transported. Elongated element 56 would otherwise be hanging free,
tending to become entangled with the ski poles or associated
mechanism.
The operation of the subject device is best illustrated by
referring to FIG. 6. Skis 12 are placed in back-to-back
relationship and are compressed against their natural camber so as
to be nonslidably held in U-shaped member 26. When the skis 12 are
positioned against padding 28, closure member 30 is swung on hinge
pivot 32 to the position shown in FIG. 5. Bracket 38, of second
means 20, is pulled back against the tension of spring 40, and ski
poles 16 are inserted into the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, it
being understood that the baskets 34, thereof are hooked over the
tip of the skis 12. With ski poles 16 positioned as seen in FIG. 5,
plunger 46, which is freely slidable in aperture 48, is pushed
through aperture 50 aligned with aperture 48 so that plunger 46
comes into registry with a complementary shaped aperture in lock
44. This relationship is best seen in FIG. 2. When stop 54 comes
into engagement with flange 52 of bracket 38, serrated surfaces 47
are interlocked in lock 44 and plunger 46 can no longer be
withdrawn. It is understood that before plunger 46 is inserted into
aperture 48, element 56 attached thereto has been passed around a
tree or some other immovable object and when plunger 46 is
therefore seated in lock 44, device 10 cannot be casually
disassociated from the fixed object. Therefore, a security
mechanism is provided.
When the skis and ski poles, so assembled, are to be transported
from place to place, elongated element 56 is merely wrapped on reel
60 leaving a sufficient length available to allow insertion of
plunger 46 into apertures 48 and 50 as previously described so that
plunger 46 holds the ski poles and skis in assembled disposition.
Thereafter, the device 10 is free to be carried by means of handle
58 and the transporting capabilities are thereby realized.
Referring to FIG. 7, an adjustment is provided for closure member
30 so that different width skis can be easily accommodated. Hinged
closure 30 has apertures through which fastening members 62 extend
and cooperate with slot 64 in U-shaped member 26 allowing closure
member 30 to slide to different adjusted positions relative to
U-shaped member 26. This difference in dimension is accommodated on
the opposite side of closure member 30 by serrated portions of
plunger 46 so that the plunger can be held in several axial
positions with respect to lock 44.
Referring to FIG. 10, another modification of the fourth means 24
of the device shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated. Whereas the fourth
means was formerly designated as numeral 24, herein it takes the
form of bracket 66, secured at one end to a building 68 or some
other relatively fixed object and on an opposite end to U-shaped
member 26. This modification of the subject invention allows the
device 10 to be permanently located such as would be required for
rental purposes at a ski resort, allowing the mechanism the same
securement allowed when the elongated element 56 is passed around
an immovable object. Of course, in the embodiment of FIG. 10,
device 10 is not capable of being transported without being first
detached from wall 68.
Referring to FIG. 11, another embodiment of the subject invention
as shown, and it is understood that where parts similar to those
shown for the first embodiment are illustrated, similar reference
numerals will be applied. In this embodiment, lock 44 of third
means 22 takes the form of a combination lock 70. Plunger 72 is
insertable into the combination lock 70 but can be seated therein
in only one axial position. Therefore, the adjustment means set
forth at 62, 64 and 47 is accommodated by a threaded exterior
portion 74 of plunger 72, cooperating with knurled nut 76 acting
against frustoconical opening 78 in element 80 attached to closure
member 30 in any well-known fashion, such as by screws 82 seen in
FIG. 13. Portion 74 of plunger 72 is not threaded completely to one
end thereby preventing nut 76 from being turned off completely.
Bracket 38 of second means 20 also has an aperture 48 in similar
fashion to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, plunger 72
aligns with aperture 48 as previously described. However, in the
present embodiment, bracket 38 fits in front of knurled nut 76 and
when plunger 72 seats in combination lock 70, some play may exist
between nut 76 and the outside surface of bracket 38. When this
occurs, knurled nut 76 is merely threaded further on threaded
portion 74 of plunger 72 until the nut seats against bracket 38
holding the second means at adjusted engagement with respect to
first means 18.
As seen in FIG. 13, the extension of curved portions 42 is such
that if the knurled nut 76 is loosened, a certain amount of play
can be brought about in second means 20, but the shafts of ski
poles 16 are sufficiently large to prevent their withdrawal from
the space that would be generated between curved portions 42 and
closure member 30. This effectively prevents the unauthorized
withdrawal of the ski poles from their locked position.
Bracket 84 is fixed to a U-shaped member 26 in any well-known
manner and extends outwardly to allow clearance for the rotation of
the dials in the combination lock 70. It is obvious then that the
bracket 38 of the ski pole lock assembly, or second means 20, must
be longer than that shown in the first embodiment in order for the
aperture 48 to line up with opening 78 and combination lock 70.
Preferably, the combination lock 70 is fixed with respect to
bracket 84 and extends proportionally into opening 78 to guarantee
registry thereof with plunger 72. In much the same manner as
described for the first embodiment, the elongated element 56 is
attached in any well-known fashion to the U-shaped member 26 and to
plunger 72 as shown in FIG. 11. This allows the engagement of the
elongated element 56 around a fixed object such as a tree to insure
the security of the device shown in FIG. 11. Likewise in this
embodiment, handle 58 is provided on U-shaped member 26 to effect
the transportation of the device along with the skis and ski poles
from place to place, and the reel 60 is again provided for wrap up
of the elongated element 56 while transportation is taking
place.
Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.
14, 15 and 16. The basic difference between this embodiment and the
previous embodiments is in the use of an ordinary padlock,
replacing the "Travel Lock" 44 of the first embodiment and
combination lock 70 of the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 16,
flange 86 extends from U-shaped member 26 and is angularly disposed
with respect to the outer portion of the U-shaped member 26.
Bracket 38, of second means 20, takes the form of a similar but
oppositely angled member 88. As best seen in FIG. 14, apertures 90
and 92 respectively are aligned so that locking bar 94 of lock 96
engages both apertures simultaneously. When the adjusting means
shown in FIG. 7 is used, proper closure of closure member 30 is
effected by bending either member 88 or flange 86 so that lock 96
maintains a tight engagement. First means 18, second means 20 and
fourth means 24 take the same form as that shown in the previous
embodiment, so will not be further discussed.
It should be understood that whereas the three embodiments of the
subject invention are shown as being adapted to be carried from one
place to another, it should be understood that the embodiment of
the fourth means shown in FIG. 9 can be readily adapted to be used
with any of the locking assemblies shown so that various locking
arrangements can be used in a stationary environment also. It
should further be noted that in FIG. 8 is shown a simplified second
means in that the spring has been eliminated, and bracket 38 is
merely held between stop 54, of slightly modified form, and closure
member 30.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it
is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is
intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of
limitation.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is,
therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described.
* * * * *