GB2438624A - Ski carrier comprising two loops joined by an adjustable strap - Google Patents

Abstract

A carrying device for skis and/or ski poles comprises one self-adjusting closed loop (12) and one manually adjusted loop (4) which can be closed or opened by a buckle (2, 3), the two loops joined by a strap which is adjustable in length. The self adjusting closing loop may be formed using a "D" ring (10). The strap may be adjusted using a three-bar buckle (8). In use, the manually adjusted loop (4) is secured around one end of the skis and/or ski poles and tightened, and the other end of the skis and/or ski poles are passed through the self-adjusting loop.

Description

<p>Ski Carrier This invention relates to a device for carrying a pair of

skis or other elongated objects having protuberances about the object's centre of gravity which are capable of holding the device in place.</p>

<p>Skis are awkward to carry comfortably and without being potentially hazardous to others.</p>

<p>Skis are conventionally carried as a pair, horizontally on the person's shoulder. This often results in discomfort from the skis or ski bindings pressing on the shoulder. The skis extend forward and back at around head height which can lead to injury to others, especially when the person carrying the skis rotates their body about a vertical or near vertical axis causing the skis to swing round, which can be hazardous to others nearby. Unless secured together by some means, skis can twist or slide apart if not carried correctly causing them to be dropped, swinging into the path of others, or causing discomfort or injury. Children, in particular, find carrying skis in this manner difficult.</p>

<p>To make the carrying of skis easier, more comfortable and safer, this invention proposes a carrier comprising one self-adjusting closed loop and one manually adjusted loop which can be closed or opened by means of a buckle, the two loops joined by a strap which is adjustable in length and serves to adjust the distance between the loops and to form the carrying handle or shoulder strap enabling the carrying of the skis horizontally in the hand or in a vertical position from the shoulder. If desired, ski sticks can also be carried together with the skis, freeing up one hand to, for example, hold hand rails when negotiating stairs, further improving the safety of the person carrying the skis. The device can be used for carrying any elongated object which has protuberances either side of the centre of gravity which are capable of preventing the loops sliding along the object towards the centre of gravity.</p>

<p>Carrying skis horizontally in the hand eliminates discomfort from pressure on the shoulder from the skis or ski bindings, moves the skis to a safer position away from the head of the person carrying the skis and the heads of others around them, and reduces horizontal rotation of the skis caused by rotating the body as the hand can easily rotate independently of the body keeping the skis in the same position.</p>

<p>Carrying skis vertically slung over the shoulder, reduces discomfort from pressure on the shoulder since the weight is transferred through a soft strap rather then the hard skis, and reduces the risks from horizontal rotation since the skis are vertical and held close to the body of the person carrying the skis. They are therefore much less likely to swing against another person.</p>

<p>Carrying ski sticks along with the skis frees one hand to, for example, hold hand rails on stairs thus improving the safety of the person carrying the skis. The design of the device ensures that skis or skis and ski sticks cannot separate whilst being carried in either a horizontal or vertical position.</p>

<p>This device is simple, robust, easy to use, light, compact, easily stowed away when not in use, and ensures that skis or skis and ski sticks cannot separate when being carried. It is suitable for use with skis of all sizes, and by skiers of all ages and heights.</p>

<p>Preferably, the device is made from non-stretch or low-stretch nylon, polypropylene, or similar woven material (webbing).</p>

<p>Preferably there is a side release buckle or similar buckle which can be closed, adjusted and released to allow a ioop of webbing to be opened, closed and adjusted in size.</p>

<p>Preferably buckles and "D" rings are made of plastic material.</p>

<p>Preferably, the device is adjustable to enable the carrying of skis of different dimensions and to be used by people of different heights.</p>

<p>An example of the device will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an example of the ski carrier, Figure 2 shows the arrangement of the ski carrier when fitted to a pair of skis.</p>

<p>A length of nylon, polypropylene or similar woven material (webbing) 4 is passed through the male part of side release buckle 2 to leave a short length of webbing free 1. The other end of webbing 4 is passed through the aperture of a, preferably square, "D" ring 6, around the cross-bar of the female part of the side release buckle 3 and secured to webbing 4 between the "D" ring 6 and female side release buckle 3 using thread stitching or rivet or similar 5 through the webbing. Thus when the male part of the side release buckle 2 is inserted into the female part of the side release buckle 3, a loop is formed which can be adjusted in size by moving the webbing through the male part of the side release buckle 2. A second length of webbing 7 is secured around the central bar of a sliding three bar buckle 8 using thread stitching or rivet or similar 9 through the webbing. The other end of the webbing is passed through the aperture of "D" ring 6, through the sliding three bar buckle 8, through the aperture of, preferably square, "D" ring 10 and around one side of"D" ring 10 and secured in place using thread stitching or rivet or similar 11 through the webbing, to form a free nmning closed loop of webbing 12.</p>

<p>Longer or shorter lengths of webbing 4 and 7 may be used to make a device suitable for carrying larger or smaller objects than skis and/or where the protuberances on the object are further apart than ski boot bindings. Wider webbing and associated buckles and "D" rings may be used for carrying heavier objects than skis.</p>

<p>The use of the device is described below to carry skis or skis and ski sticks. The device may be used in the same way with any other elongated objected having protuberances around its centre of gravity.</p>

<p>Before using the device the pair of skis 13 should be placed together with the underside (base) of each ski facing the base of the other and oriented so that the upwardly curved ends (tips) 14 are adjacent to each other. If ski sticks are to be carried together with the skis, these should be placed adjacent and parallel to the sides of skis. The ski sticks can be placed together on the same side of the skis or one on either side of the skis. In the rest of this description reference to skis can mean the skis or skis and ski sticks placed in the position described above. To use the device, the side release buckle or similar is opened and the webbing loop 4 is adjusted by passing webbing through the male part of the side release buckle 2 so that it is large enough to pass completely round the skis. The sliding three bar buckle 8 must be moved towards "D" ring 6 so that loop 12 is of sufficient size to allow one end of the skis to pass through the loop.</p>

<p>It is generally easier to pass the tails of the skis 15 through the ioop. The device is pulled up until it is possible to form a closed loop by passing webbing 4 around the skis at any point between the end of the skis (tips 14 if the tails 15 were passed through loop 12) and the boot bindings 16 furthest from the end of the skis which were passed through loop 12. The loop 4 is slid down the skis until it abuts the boot bindings and is adjusted by passing webbing through the male part of side release buckle 2 by pulling on webbing 1 until it fits closely enough around the skis so that it cannot pass over the boot bindings 16 and the boot bindings prevent it sliding further along the skis. Pulling on the webbing between "D" rings 6 and 10 causes loop 12 to slide along the skis towards the boot bindings 17 nearest to the end of the skis passed through loop 12 and self-adjust so that it fits closely around the skis and cannot pass over the boot bindings 17. The boot bindings 17 prevent the loop sliding further along the skis. The length of webbing between "D" rings 6 and 10 forms the carrying strap and is adjusted to the desired length by moving sliding three bar buckle 8. It is moved towards "D" ring 6 to lengthen the carrying strap to carry the skis over the shoulder or towards "D" ring 10 to shorten the carrying strap to carry the skis in the hand.</p>

<p>To remove the device, the male part of side release buckle or similar 2 is released from the female part 3 to open the loop 4 to release it from the skis and loop 12 is allowed to loosen and is slid along the skis away from the boot binding 17 until it passes off the end of the skis 15.</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>Claims 1. A simple, easy to use, carrying device for skis or skis and

   ski sticks or other elongated objects having protuberances around the object's centre of gravity comprising one self-adjusting closed ioop and one manually adjusted loop which can be closed or opened by means of a buckle, the two loops joined by a strap which is adjustable in length.</p>

   <p>2. A carrying device which is easily adjusted to accommodate skis or other objects of widely differing sizes.</p>

   <p>3. A carrying device which enables the length of the central strap to be easily adjusted to form a carrying handle or shoulder strap enabling the carrying of the skis or object horizontally in the hand or in a vertical position from the shoulder.</p>

   <p>4. A carrying device which is of simple and robust construction but is light in weight.</p>

   <p>5. A carrying device which when not attached to the skis or other objects, folds up and fits easily into a small pocket.</p>