US3461696A - Apparatus for locking skis - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 19, 1969 J. G. SEKA 15 APPARATUS FOR LOOKING SKIS Filed June 12, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. G. SEKA Aug. 19, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. #v

Au .19,1969 -J.G.SEKA 3,461,696

APFARATUS FOR LOOKING SKIS V Filed June 12, 1967 3 Shasta-Sheet 5 I N VEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,461,696 APPARATUS FOR LOCKING SKIS Johann Georg Seka, Altadena, Calif. (280 Park View Terrace, Oakland, Calif. 94610) Filed June 12, 1967, SerJNo. 645,451 Int. Cl. E05b 73/00, 67/38; A63c 11/02 US. C]. 7058 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A ski-locking apparatus for locking pairs of skis and having first and second members adapted to be secured to the skis and a lock affixed to one of the members. When installed on a pair of skis the members are engaged by moving the skis perpendicularly to their mounting surfaces for the members. Actuation of the lock immovably secures the members to each other and thereby positions the skis in their crossed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to apparatus for locking a pair of skis wherein the skis are longitudinally crossed relative to each other.

State of the prior art The sport of skiing has increased rapidly over the past one or two decades and the end of its popularity increase is not in sight yet. Virtually thousands of skiers congregate each weekend during the winter months in hundreds of skiing areas. Available skiing equipment is becoming more and more sophisticated and with it more expensive. The skis, together with the bindings which secure a skiers boot to the skis, are by far the single most expensive piece of equipment, their average cost running well over $100 a pair and their cost becoming higher with the start of each new skiing season.

Unfortunately, with their steadily increasing cost, their attractiveness for being stolen appears to increase correspondingly. The number of ski thefts occurring during each skiing day has assumed alarming proportions. Not infrequently the suspicion is being voiced that at least some of the thefts are being perpetrated by organized bands which attempt to resell the stolen skis at substantial profits. The economic loss as well as the inconvenience to a skier whose skis have been stolen is,"of course, substantial.I-Iis hope for recovering the skis is at the same time practically nonexistent since one pair of skis is hard to differentiate from another pair; since theyare' in any event hard to locate in the mass of skis present in ash area; and since their appearance is relatively easily altered.

In the past, there have been frequent attempts to lock pairs of skis to prevent their theft by being carried away while the owner is not present. In most instances locks were provided which secured the skis to an immovable object such as the wallof a building, a tree, or a specially adapted support which was permanently anchored to the ground. These devices were adapted to receive the skis, ordinarily a pairat a time, in a parallel position'and to secure the skis to the device by closing a pivotable arm which could then be locked such that the be removed. a

Other ski locks included a flexible member, such as a steel cable or a heavy leather strap, which can be wrapped around the pair of skis to be locked. The flexible member is simultaneously wrapped around an immovable objectsuch as a tree, a post, or a railing and its ends are secured to each other and locked together. Since these locks must skis could not be carried by the skier while not in use, they are by uscessity light to not uncomfortably burden the person. It is of course an easy task for one determined to steal a pair of skis to equip himself with an adequate tool, such as a pair of wire snappers, and to sever the flexible member. This can be done without arousing suspicion and thereafter the skis can be carried away. In addition, such locks must ordinarily be carried by the skier while he skis, which frequently interferes with his skiing efforts. For this reason they are less than fully satisfactory.

Although ski locks which are permanently secured to a fixed object are highly effective in preventing thefts of the skis, their available number is small. Even if used to the full extent of their availability, only a minute fraction of all skiers present in a skiing area can get one. The others are left unprotected.

However, even the small number of available ski locks which adequately protect skis are generally not used. This is due to a variety of reasons, principally among them the relatively high rental cost, the remote places where they are usually located, and the gamble of a skier that his skis will not be the ones that are going to be stolen since he expects to be back after a short rest or a quick lunch. All too frequently, however, the time interval is more than ample to steal the skis. A prospective thief may merely wait at a frequented place and observe who is about to enter the skiing lodge. He is aware that the skier will not be back for at least some minutes. This is sufficient to pick up the skis and carry them away.

There is little or no danger that he will be observed even if a person were especially assigned to watch for thefts. Among the thousands of skiers, a large number of them being at all times in the process of arriving at the lodge or departing therefrom, it is impossible to know whether or not a particular pair of skis belongs to a particular person. A thief walking away with a pair of stolen skis in no way distinguishes himself from a rightful owner of a pair of skis. The activities of a thief are in no way suspicious, and not even the owner of a pair of skis observing their theft can be sure they are his skis that are being stolen unless he is in the immediate vicinity since one pair of skis cannot be distinguished from another pair over a relatively short distance.

Thus, the theft of skis has presented a. lingering problem which heretofore has not been solved. All attempts to solve it were frustrated by the peculiar surroundings of a ski area and the ease with which thefts are perpetrated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides apparatus for locking a pair of skis in the crossed position, the apparatus comprising a first member adapted to be secured to one ski and a second member adapted to be secured to another ski. It further includes means for substantially immovably engaging the first member and the second member and selectively engageable locking means for constraining the members to each other while so engaged.

When the skis are thus secured to each other and locked, their removal for purposes of perpetrating a theft becomes highly unlikely. Their ends are many feet apart whereby an attempt to carry them away becomes immediately ap parent since they cannot be carried in the fashion skis are normally carried. The prospective thief is additionally confronted with the difiicult problem of transporting a pair of skis that has been locked according to this invention away from the skiing area. In their locked position the skis can neither be placed inside an automobile nor atop a ski carrier secured to an automobile. Practical considerations therefore prevent a prospective thief from stealing a pair of skis locked according to this invention because of the likelihood that his attempt to steal them will be detected and because of his inability to conveniently transport the skis from the ski area. An innocent person as Well as a prospective thief is of course also prevented from accidentally or purposely interchanging his skis with those of another person and the possibility of commencing or continuing his skiing with the skis of another.

In addition, this invention for the first time permits an effective placing of strategically located personnel to detect and prevent skis deposited in ski areas, usually in the vicinity of the areas skiing lodge and lifts, from being stolen and carried away. Skis locked according to this invention are clearly distinguishable from other skis, especially when they are being carried, since no rightful owner carries his skis in the locked position because of their unwieldiness when in that position. Thus, a person attempting to wrongfully take a pair of skis locked according to the invention immediately attracts the attention of other skiers as well as of supervisory personnel. Proper action can then be taken, and the reasons for carrying the locked skis can be investigated.

To further discourage any possible attempt to steal locked skis, the apparatus for locking the skis is preferably constructed such that the means for securing it to the skis are concealed when the skis are secured to each other. Any attempt to remove the locking apparatus and to free the skis is thereby made impossible. Forceful removal of the locking apparatus would entail destruction of the skis, thereby eliminating at the outset the incentive for stealing them, since a pair of unusable skis is worthless to the thief.

Apparatus constructed according to this invention is a simple, lightweight locking device which is preferably permanently secured to the skis. Its relatively small size makes them appear as if part of the skis bindings and its light weight does not as much as make the skier notice it while he is skiing. Additionally, there is no need for him to carry bulky locking devices while he skis or the skis are otherwise stored at a location not requiring them to be locked. Most importantly, the locking apparatus is available whenever and wherever the skier wishes to lock his skis. He is not dependent on locks which might or might not be available, and he is not dependent on the availability of fixed objects which have the particular configuration to receive the skis and a locking device constructed according to the prior art. Perhaps most importantly, the skier is not put to the inconvenience of having to search for, walk to and pay for a ski lock which has been made available at the skiing area. The skis are conveniently locked at the place where he takes them off his boots or otherwise wishes to deposit them.

Its simple construction makes the apparatus of this invention ideally suited for mass production. It is, therefore, economically manufactured and can be made available to a wide cross section of the public at low cost. The heretofore growing problem of ski thefts is thereby effectively reversed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a pair of skis locked to each other according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a pair of skis locked according to this invention but wherein narrow sides of the skis face each other;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, in section, taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail in cross section of a ski locking apparatus constructed according to this invention and is taken along line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged front elevational view, with parts broken away, of another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, but showing another embodiment of this invention; and

'FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1, a pair of skis 12 comprising first and second skis 14 and 16, respectively, is shown secured to each other whereby longitudinal axes of the skis cross each other intermediate front ends 18 and rear ends 20 of the skis. The skis are secured to each other by a ski lock 22 which is connected with both skis and which maintains the skis in the crossed position. Each ski includes a binding 24 which is used to secure boots (not shown) of a skier to the ski while he skis.

The bindings as well as the ski lock are secured to wide upper sides 26 of the skis, lower sides 28 of them being maintained smooth and unobstructed to enable the ski to slide on a snow surface (not shown). While in a locked position the wide upper sides of the skis thereby face toward each other. While locked the ends 20 of the skis are anchored in the snow or the skis are supported by a fixed object such as a tree (not shown) or a wall (not shown) of a building to maintain the skis in an upright position. Alternatively, they are placed on the ground in a substantially horizontal position.

To not interfere with the bindings 24 and the proper placement of the skiers boots in the bindings, the lock is mounted front or aft of the bindings intermediate the front end 18 or the rear end 20 of each ski and the bindings. An angle of inclination 30 between the axis of the skis is selected from anywhere between more than zero degrees and degrees. To effectively prevent a thief from stealing the skis, the angle is preferably from between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees. When so inclined, the ends of the skis are several feet apart from each other, making the pair of locked skis sufiiciently unwieldly to effectively discourage any attempt to steal them, since such an attempt would arouse the attention of other people in the vicinity. Moreover, the skis are difficult to carry in this position and they cannot be placed in an automobile or atop a ski carrier mounted on the automobile. A convenient and generally the only mode for transporting the skis away from the skiing area is thereby taken away.

FIG. 2 shows the pair of skis 12 locked to each other in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but wherein narrow sides 32 of the skis face toward each other. The pair of skis is thereby as effectively placed in a locked position as when the wide upper sides 26 face each other.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a presently preferred embodiment of the ski lock 22 used to lock the skis in the position they are shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated. The ski lock comprises first and second members 34 and 36 which are adapted to be secured to the first ski 14 and the second ski 16, respectively.

The first member 34 includes the base plate 38 which preferably has a circular configuration and shaft 40 protruding beyond a face 42 of the base plate. The shaft is constructed integrally with the base plate such as by casting it, for example, or, in the alternative, they are constructed separately and are secured to each other. Preferably, if constructed separately, they are welded together or they are bolted or threaded to each other provided, however, they are positively prevented from rotating relative to each other when so secured. To reduce the manufacturing cost of the shaft 40 as well as of the second member 36, the shaft is preferably given a circular cross section as shown in FIG. 3 so that it defines a cylinder. Alternatively, it can have the square, rectangular, or other cross section (not shown).

For purposes to be described hereinafter, the shaft 40 is preferably offset from the center of base plate 38, as best seen in FIG. 3.

The shaft includes an opening 44 having an axis substantially transverse to an axis of the shaft. It extends from a periphery of the shaft towards it center and may extend throughout the diameter of the shaft and pierce the periphery at a location diametrically opposite from the opening 44.

The base plate is provided with a plurality of apertures 46 extending through the plate in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of the shaft. When the first member is secured to a ski a plurality of screws 48 are disposed in the apertures 46 and are anchored in the body of the ski such that the first member is immovable relative to the ski it is secured to.

In the presently preferred embodiment of this invention, the second member 36 has a configuration similar to that of the first member 34. Thus, is base plate 38 has a circular configuration, the second member is given the same circular configuration. The second member is provided with an aperture 50 which is capable of receiving shaft 40 and which has an axis parallel to the axis of shaft 40.

A second aperture 52 extends transverse to aperture 50 and is adapted to mount a lock 54 provided with an axially movable bolt 56 protruding beyond an end 58 of the lock adjacent aperture 52. Another end of the lock is accessible from the exterior of the second member to enable the locking and unlocking of the lock.

The axis of aperture 50 is offset from the center of the second member 36 an amount equal to the offset of the axis of shaft 40 from the center of base plate 38. The offset of the shaft and the aperture provides a greater distance between the periphery of shaft 40 and aperture 52 and the periphery of the second member 36 adjacent the lock 54. Thus, if the base plate and the second me-m her have a circular configuration the ski lock can be constructed in a space which is less from what it would be were the axis of the shaft and the aperture in the center of the base plate 38 and the second member 36. The size, the weight, and the cost of ski lock 22 are thereby less than what it would be if shaft 40 were disposed in the center of base plate 38.

' The second aperture, and with it lock 54, is positioned such that the bolt 56 is aligned with opening 44 in shaft 40 of the first member 34. In a presently preferred embodiment the lock is a key actuated cylindrical lock disposed interiorly of the second aperture 52. The lock is in a locked position when bolt 56 protrudes beyond the end 58 and it is in an open position when the bolt is retracted such that it does not interfere with the free movement of the shaft 40 in the aperture 50. Lock 54 is secured to the second member 36 by providing a press fit between the periphery of the lock and the second aperture such that the lock cannot be moved relative to the second member without the exertion of a considerable force. It is then practically impossible to remove the lock from the second aperture 52 Without the aid of special equipment particularly when the members are secured to each other since only the smooth outer surface of the lock is accessible. In addition, a bonding agent may be applied intermediate the lock and the second aperture to further reduce the possibility of the locks removal from it. Such bonding agents are presently widely available on the market, one such agent being traded under the name of Epon Adhesive 9601 which is an epoxy based adhesive and is cured after the lock, together with the bonding agent is installed in the second aperture. Preferably, the curing takes place at a temperature of between about 225 F. and about 250 F. after the lock has been installed. Generally, however, the bonding agent is not required because the high frictional forces between the lock and the second member effectively forestall the possibility of the locks removal from the second aperture 52. In addition, the end of the aperture can be mechanically deformed after the lock has been installed to reduce its effective diameter and prevent the lock from framing beyond the outer end of the aperture.

Alternatively, the lock 54 can, be welded or brazed to the second member or to a sleeve which is disposed intermediate the lock and the second aperture. The sleeve is then in turn suitably secured to the second member 36 such as by welding it thereto.

The lock 54 is of any desired construction and is optionally actuated by a key (not shown) or it is a combination lock which does not require the use of a key and which is opened or closed with number combinations. All of these locks are well known and widely available on the market.

The lock may of course have a configuration other than that shown in FIG. 4 and may be secured to the second member 34 at a location different from that shown in both FIGS. 3 and 4. It must, however, be capable of preventing the shaft 40 from moving axially relative to the second member 34 when it is in a locked position. If the shaft 40 has a cylindrical shape such that it can rotate in the first aperture 50 unless constrained therefrom, the lock 54 preferably also prevents shaft 40 and the second member 36 from rotating relative to each other. If the members could so rotate while the ski lock is locked, the skis could be substantially aligned with each other, reducing or eliminating the effectiveness of their being locked in accordance with this invention.

If the lock is not capable of so restraining the shaft from rotating relative to the second member when disposed in aperture 50 and the lock is in a locked position, a dowel pin 63 is secured to either the first member 34 or the second member 36. It protrudes beyond the respective face of the member and into a hole 64 in the opposing member. Alternatively or simultaneously, a dowel pin 62 can be secured to shaft 40 to protrude beyond the periphery of the shaft and into a slot 66 disposed adjacent to and communicating with the aperture 50. The dowel pm 62 optionally extends throughout the cross section of the shaft such that it protrudes at diametrically opposed points of the shafts periphery.

Where, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the opening 44 in shaft 40 must be aligned with bolt 56 before the bolt can engage the opening, dowel pins 62 or 63 are preferably included in one of the members 34 and 36 and arranged such that it automatically aligns opening 44 with the bolt when the dowel pin engages pin hole 64 or slot 66. This eliminates the need for having to align the bolt with the opening, which is difiicult because the two are invisible from the exterior of the ski lock. The pin further reduces loads applied to the bolt when the pair of crossed and. locked skis are attempted to be rotated relative to each other around shaft 40.

The second member is additionally provided with a plurality of apertures or holes 68 which extend substantially parallel to the axis of aperture 50 throughout the thickness of the member. Apertures 68 are adapted to receive fiat head screws 70 which are anchored in the body of the second ski 16 to secure the second member thereto.

The pair of skis 12, after the first and second members 34 and 36 respectively have been secured thereto, are locked by first inserting shaft 40 into aperture 50. Thereafter, or simultaneously therewith, the skis are rotated relative to each other about the shaft until dowel pins 62 and/or 63 are aligned with pin hole 64 or slot 66. When the membersare secured to a pair of skis the skis then have their longitudinal axes crossed relative to each other. They are moved an additional amount toward each other until opposing faces of the base plate 38 and the second member 36 are in abutment. The opening 44 in shaft 40 is now aligned with bolt 56 and the skis are fixed and constrained from rotating relative to each other about shaft 40. The skis are now suitably locked to each other by actuating lock 54 which moves bolt 56 into the aperture 44. The skis are immobilized from moving relative to each other. By virtue of their position, their theft is effectively prevented without the need of having to rely on a fixed object to which they must be secured. They are separable only after the lock has been unlocked.

While the skis are in a locked position, it is additionally impossible to remove the lock from the skis. Screws 48 and 70 are completely concealed and inaccessible since each member covers the screws disposed in the opposing member. Any attempt to steal the skis with the hope of removing the lock at a remote location is thereby thwarted. The lock can only be removed by seriously damaging the skis which would render them unusable.

All components of ski lock 22 are preferably constructed of a corrsionresistant material such as alumi num or bronze, for example, or they are plated with a corrosion-resistant material since the lock is subjected to a great deal of moisture. Melting snow or ice would cause excessive corrosion if it were constructed of a corroding material such as ordinary carbon steel. This would seriously detract from its appearance and may entail malfunctioning of the device.

Ski lock 22 can of course be adapted to be installed on a pair of skis such that narrow sides 32 thereof face each other as shown in FIG. 2. The first and second members are then given a generally semi-circular shape and apertures (not shown) for receiving the screws (not shown) to secure the members to the skis are disposed transversely to the axis of shaft 40 and aperture 50.

FIGS. and 6 show another embodiment of this invention. A ski lock 72 is shown to comprise first and second blocks or members 74 and 76 respectively, the blocks having a substantially rectangular cross section and being provided with substantially parallel apertures 78 capable of receiving screws 80. The blocks are secured to wide upper sides 26 of the first and second skis 14 and 16 respectively by anchoring screws 80 therein.

The preferably rectangularly shaped blocks are of equal height such that free ends 82 of the blocks substantially abut on the wide upper surfaces 26 of the opposing skis when opposing faces 84 of the blocks are aligned with each other.

A preferably cylindrical shaft 86 protrudes beyond face 84 of the first block 74 and is suitably secured to that block. The second block 76 is provided with an aperture 88 extending through its face 84 and is positioned such that it is coaxial with shaft 86 when the opposing faces 84 of the blocks are aligned. A free end 90 of the shaft extends beyond the face of the second block remote from face 84 of the first block and is adapted to receive a suitable lock 92 which prevents the shaft from being retracted through aperture 88 when the lock is in a locked position. Although the lock may be of any suitable construction capable of preventing the shaft from being retracted, in a preferred embodiment of this invention it is a combination lock having a cylindrical aperture of a size about equal to the diameter of shaft 86 so that it can he slipped onto the shaft. The shaft is then provided with a radially extending protrusion 94 to constrain the lock to the space intermediate the second block 76 and the protrusion. To prevent relative movements of the skis while they are locked to each other in a direction parallel to shaft 86 the distance between the second block and an inner end of protrusion 94 is about equal to the length of block 92.

If shaft 86 is provided with protrusion 94, the aperture through second block 76 adapted to receive the shaft includes a suitable slot (not shown) having a size suflicient to permit the protrusion 94 to pass therethrough.

To facilitate the opening of lock 92 it is preferably positioned outside the space intermediate the first and second skis 14 and 16, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. To this end the second block 76 is positioned on the first ski 14 adjacent the narrow side 32 of that ski (not shown). To enhance the appearance of a ski provided with this ski lock, it is preferably mounted at about the center of the wide upper surface 26 of the ski. A suitable sleeve 95 is then interposed between the second block 76 and the inner side of ski lock 92, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The

shaft 86 then includes an additional length equal to the length of sleeve 95. Preferably, the sleeve is secured to the second block 76.

Block '74 is installed on ski 16 such that the axis of shaft 86 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski. Block 76 is installed on ski 14 with its face 84 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski. When secured to each other, the axes of the skis are then inclined relative to each other at an angle of about degrees. The angular inclination of the skis can be changed by correspondingly changing the position of either block. To prevent shaft 86 from interfering with the skiers skiing effort, block 74 however should be located such that it does not protrude beyond the narrow sides 32 of the ski.

When shaft 86 is disposed in aperture 88 of the second block 76 and the opposing faces 84 of the blocks are in substantial abutment with each other, the skis are fixed with respect to each other. When locked, they cannot be removed from each other. Moreover, since the blocks are of substantially the same height, screws 80 are concealed and inaccessible. The ski lock 72 can therefore not be removed from the skis while in a locked position Without doing substantial damage to the skis.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment of this invention is illustrated wherein a ski .lock 96 is not permanently secured to the skis. The ski lock comprises a first member 98 having an elongate, substantially flat center portion 100, each end of the center portion being provided with an upwardly extending flange 102.

A second member 104- having a cross bar 106 secured to the center portion midway between flanges 102, and extending substantially transverse to the center portion and upwardly extending, preferably tubular posts 108 secured to each end of the cross bar. The posts are of a length slightly more than the combined thickness of the pair of skis 12. One end of a tie bar 110 is rotatably secured to one of the posts by means of a suitable fastener such as a rivet 112. The other end of the tie bar is provided with a hole 114 which is substantially coaxial with the other tubular post 108 and a hole (not shown) in the cross bar.

A pair of skis is placed intermediate flanges 102 and posts 108 whereby the longitudinal axe of the skis are angularly inclined relative to each other. After the skis are so positioned, tie bar 110 is pivoted to align hole 114 with a tubular post 108. A shackle of a padlock 116 is now inserted into the elongated aperture extending through the tie bar, the post and the cross bar and is then locked. Relative angular movement of the skis is thereby prevented. By installing the ski lock 96 intermediate the bindings 24 of each ski, longitudinal movements of the skis relative to each other are limited to movements Within the confines of the binding. Optionally, a pin (not shown) can be secured to upper sides 26 of the skis which engage respective holes (not shown) in the cross bar 106 and the tie bar 110. The lock 96 i then effectively prevented from moving longitudinally relative to the skis and the lock can be installed outside the confines of the bindings.

Other locks than padlock 116 can of course be used in conjunction with ski lock 96 such as the lock 54 provided with an axially movable bolt 56 and shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Preferably, the first member 98 is constructed to be of a length which is less than the distance intermediate the posts 108 and is rotatably secured to the cross bar 106 such that the first member can be aligned with the second member 104 while the lock is not in use. This makes the ski lock more convenient to carry while it is not secured to the skis.

I claim:

1. A ski-locking apparatus comprising:

(a) a first member adapted to be secured to a surface of a first ski and having a portion extending generally perpendicularly away from the surface,

(b) a second member adapted to be secured to a surface of a second ski and defining a void formed to receive the portion, the second member being further formed to encircle the portion when the portion is disposed in the "void, the void having an orientation permitting the insertion of the portion therein by moving the first and second skis towards each other perpendicularly to the surfaces, the interengagement of the portion and the void limiting relative motions of the skis in a direction parallel to the surfaces, and

(c) locking means permanently mounted to one of the members and selectively engageable with the other one of the members when the portion is disposed in the void to thereby secure the members to each other.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the locking means is disposed in the second member and includes an axially movable bolt enclosed by the second member and disposed substantially parallel to the surface of the second ski, and wherein the portion includes an aperture engageable by the bolt when the portion is disposed in the void.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the portion includes a cylindrical section and the void is formed to receive the cylindrical section, and including means preventing relative rotational movements between the members when the section is disposed in the void.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second member defines an opening communicating the exterior of the second member with the void and disposed generally perpendicularly to the void, and wherein the locking means comprises a lock cylinder axially movably disposed in the opening.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the locking means further include bolt means disposed in the opening and connected with the lock cylinder, and wherein the lock cylinder extends the bolt means into the void when in a locked position and retracts the bolt means into the opening when the lock cylinder is in an unlocked position.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the portion and the void are cylindrical, and including an arm member extending radially outward of the portion, and wherein the second member includes a cutout formed to receive the arm member whereby the interengagement of the arm member and the cutout prevents relative rotational movements between the first and the second members.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first and the second members have opposing faces in substantial abutment when the skis are in the locked position and include mounting holes terminating at the faces for re ceiving mounting bolts securing the members to the respective skis, the mounting holes having axes parallel to the portion and the void, respectively.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the locking means include movable bolt means engageable with the first member, and wherein the first member includes a pair of laterally spaced portions and an aperture engageable by the bolt means, and wherein the second member includes a pair of voids formed and spaced to receive the portions to position the members and align the bolt means with the aperture.

9. Apparatus for locking pairs of skis in a crossed position, comprising:

(a) a first member having a mounting surface for placement on a surface of a first ski, a portion extending perpendicularly away from the mounting surface and having a cylindrical section at a free end of the portion, and an aperture disposed parallel to the mounting surface, the first member further including spaced apart mounting holes disposed transversely to the mounting surface,

(b) a second member having a second mounting surface for placement on a surface of a second ski, the second member defining a cylindrical void disposed perpendicularly to the second mounting surface and formed to receive the cylindrical section, the second member further including spaced apart mounting holes disposed parallel to the void and a cylindrical opening communicating with the -void and the exterior of the second member and positioned parallel to the second mounting surface, the opening being aligned with the aperture when the section is disposed in the void,

(0) bolt means axially movably disposed in the opening, and

(d) lock cylinder means axially movably disposed in the opening and engageable with the bolt means for selectively moving the bolt means into the aperture 'when the section is disposed in the void to thereby lock the members to each other.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 including means aligning the aperture with the opening when the section is disposed in the void and preventing relative rotational movements between the members.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the mounting holes in each member are positioned adjacent a face of the other member to prevent access to the mounting holes when the members are locked to each other.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lock is frictionally secured to the second member.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a sleeve disposed intermediate the locking means and the second member and wherein the sleeve is secured to the second member.

14. Apparatus for locking pairs of skis in a crossed position comprising:

(a) a first member having a mounting surface for placement on a surface of a first ski and extending generally perpendicularly away from the mounting surface, the member terminating in an end face positioned opposite from the mounting surface, the first member including mounting holes extending from the end face to the mounting surface,

(b) a second member having a mounting surface for placement on a surface of a second. ski and extending generally perpendicularly away from its mounting surface, the second member terminating in an end face positioned opposite from its mounting surface, the second member including mounting holes extending from the end face'to the mounting surface,

(c) a shaft mounted to the first member and extending past an aperture in the second member substantially parallel to the ski surfaces, the axis of the shaft and the axis of the aperture being spaced substantially equidistantly from the end faces of the first and second members, respectively, and

(d) locking means locking the shaft to the second member.

15. Apparatus for locking pairs of skis in a crossed position comprising:

(a) a first member having an elongate center portion and side members extending perpendicularly away from ends of the center portion;

(b) a second member having an elongate cross bar connected to the center portion about midway between the ends of the center portion and the ends of the cross bar, the second member further including first and second sections extending perpendicularly away from ends of the cross bar in the same direction as the side members, and an elongate tie bar mounted between free ends of the sections and being disconnectable from at least the first section, the sections being sufficiently long to permit placement of a pair of skis between the tie bar and the cross bar, the tie bar including an opening adjacent the first section permitting the engagement of the tie bar and the first section by a lock, the sections and the side members being angularly offset from each other to 1 1 12 enable skis to be placed therebetween in a crossed References Cited position. 16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the cross UNITED STATES PATENTS bar and the center portion are pivotally connected, and 3 277 67 11 1955 Poehlmann et 1 2 11 37 X wherein one of the cross bar and the center portion, including the sections and the side members, respectively, 5 FOREIGN PATENTS is longer than the other one of the cross bar and the 816 256 4/1937 France center portion, excluding the sections and the side mem 72156 5/1947 i, bers, respectively, whereby the first and second members 250928 7/1948 switzeflni can be aligned during storage of the apparatus. 10

17. Apparatus according to claim 15, including means I pivotally connecting the tie bar to the second section, and BENJAMIN HERSH Pnmar) Examiner wherein the first section includes a bore aligned with the MlLTON SMITH Assistant Examiner opening in the tie bar when the tie bar is connected with the first section for receiving a portion of the lock. 15 U S 1 X R 18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the first section comprises a tubular post defining the bore for re- 28011-37 ceiving the shackle of a padlock.

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