Description of Invention

This invention relates to apparatus for storage and/or transportation of articles. The invention has been devised primarily, although not exclusively, for the storage/transportation of items of recreational or sporting equipment and/or clothing, and as described hereafter such articles may comprise skiing equipment, namely skis, ski poles, ski boots and other associated items.

A wide variety of holders are known for storing and carrying articles of sporting or recreational equipment. However, some articles, for example skis, are particularly awkward to handle by virtue of their dimensions and are inconvenient to carry and deal with even if they are contained within a bag or similar holder. Often, skis are simply carried over a persons shoulder, but this can be dangerous especially in crowded environments such as for example airports.

When skiing, a skier must wear boots which, in being specifically designed to cooperate with ski bindings and to provide the required support in the foot and ankle region, are incompatible with ordinary walking. However, the skier may need to walk some distance to the start of a ski run wearing more conventional footwear. Then, having donned ski boots there is a requirement for storage of the other footwear while skiing. The present invention also seeks to address this problem of storage of items such as footwear while skiing or indulging in some other activity.

It is broadly the object of the present invention to provide storage/transportation apparatus which may overcome or reduce the problems outlined above.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided storage apparatus, comprising a container portion for containing at least a first article, a releasable engagement means for enabling the engagement of at least a second

article, and ground engaging means for permitting the apparatus to be moved by a person.

Preferably, the container portion is suitable for storing articles of sporting and/or recreational apparel such as ski boots or the like. Conveniently, the container portion comprises a bag.

There may be associated with at least a lower part of the container portion, a frame element. The frame element may be integral with the container portion or releasably attachable thereto. For example, the frame element may be sewn into the container portion, or the frame element and container portion may be provided with attachment means such that the container portion may be attached to and released from the frame element.

The frame element may conveniently be substantially T-shaped.

The ground engaging means may be attached to the container portion, or in the case where there is a frame element associated with the container portion, the ground engaging means may be attached to the frame element.

In either case the ground engaging means may be adjustable with respect to the container portion or frame element.

The ground engaging means preferably comprises wheels, disposed at positions spaced laterally of the apparatus, e.g. at either side of the container portion. The wheels may be provided on a common axle extending across the container portion or may be provided with separate axles. Alternatively there may be attached to the container portion a pair of outwardly extending arms to the outer ends of which the wheels are attached.

The axis of rotation of the wheels may be adjustable by virtue of the axle being movable relative to the container portion or by the arms being pivotable with respect to the container portion.

As a further alternative, the ground engaging means and container portion and/or frame element may be provided with mutually interfitting elements such that the ground engaging means may be removable from or occupy one of a plurality of positions relative to the container portion or frame element. The mutually interfitting elements may for example comprise protrusions

associated with the ground engaging means and sockets on the container portion or frame element.

As a still further alternative, the ground engaging means could comprise elements which are not wheels, for example skids eg. in the form of skis. Such variations enable the invention to be used in a variety of differing situations and conditions. It will be appreciated that in the case where the ground engaging means are not wheels, similar arrangements as above described may still be provided for adjustment and/or removal thereof.

In the case where the ground engaging means are attached to the frame element, similar arrangements as above described may again be provided.

Furthermore, the ground engaging means may be detachable from the container portion or frame element such that it may be stored in the container portion or elsewhere when not in use. In such a case, the apparatus will rest on the ground, with either the container portion or frame element in contact with the ground.

The releasable engagement means may be attached to a part of the container portion or to a part of the frame element. Preferably the releasable engagement means comprises a device into which may be introduced at least an end part of the second article. The releasable engagement means is preferably arranged such that the second article may be introduced thereto, and in order to improve manoeuvrability and stability of the apparatus, the releasable engagement means may allow the second article to partly pass therethrough.

The releasable engagement means is preferably suitable for engaging elongate articles, such as for example skis, and/or ski poles.

It will be appreciated that the second article or articles may be contained within a holder, for example a ski bag, and in such a case the releasable engagement means is such that the article or articles and holder are engaged by it.

By virtue of such an engagement, the second article may function as a handle of the apparatus, enabling a person to manoeuvre the apparatus by

holding the free end of the second article, i.e., that end which is remote from that which is engaged with the releasable engagement means.

Conveniently, the releasable engagement means may comprise a resilient means, for example a biased gripping means arranged such that in a "clamped" position, a locking element engages a face of the second article and prevents relative movement thereof, but in an "undamped" position the second article may pass freely into, and possibly through, the releasable engagement means. Conveniently, the releasable engagement means may be foot operable for ease of use.

Alternatively, the releasable engagement means may comprise one or more straps attached to the container portion or frame element, the straps being adjustable so as to permit of engagement and securement of the second article. As a still further alternative, hook and loop type fasteners, commonly known as "Velcro" (RTM) fasteners may be employed which permit of greater ease of use.

Additionally there may be provided a separate handle element attachable to the free end of the second article. Such a handle element may conveniently be of a "pistol grip" type such that the handle element may be attached to and released from the second article. When not in use, the handle element may be stowed in the container portion.

The apparatus may be further provided with one or more braking elements which may either act on the ground engaging means directly, or which may be associated with the container portion or frame element. In the former case, the brake element may be of a conventional type, and in the latter case, the brake element may consist simply of one or more rubber feet, or in the case where the storage apparatus is to be employed in snowy or icy conditions, one or more support means which may be sharpened or pointed so as to engage with the ground.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the container portion comprises a flexible bag, there may be respective frame elements movable relative to one another between an extended condition in which the bag is able

to receive bulky articles such as ski boots and a collapsed condition which is able to be attained by virtue of the flexibility of the bag and wherein a reduced volume of space is occupied by the apparatus for storage purposes.

Conveniently the frame elements are pivotable relative to one another between the extended and collapsed conditions.

Preferably the frame elements comprise elements, e.g. generally U- shaped, extending peripherally of wall portions of the bag, which when pivoted relative to one another to assume or approach the collapsed condition are able to accommodate the bag therebetween with a (relatively small) article or articles held within the bag. If the frame elements are locked relative to one another in such position, e.g. by a suitable locking means such as a padlock and chain, the apparatus can be used to provide relatively secure stowage for such article or articles.

Thus the apparatus may be used for locked storage of, for example, the "street" shoes of a skier after ski boots have been donned. If the locking device is used to lock the apparatus to, for example, an item of street furniture, the articles can be stored during skiing with a relatively high degree of security.

The invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example only by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention, in the extended condition;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4, in the collapsed condition.

Referring first to Figure 1, storage apparatus 10 is shown comprising a container portion 11, which in this example is in the form of a bag. At the base

of the container portion is attached a frame element 12, which may be integral with the container portion 11 or attached thereto. The attachment may be by virtue of the frame element 12 being sewn into the base of the container portion 11 or the frame element and container portion may be provided with other means for attachment to each other. The frame element may be one of a variety of shapes, although a preferred shape is that of a T shape as shown in Figure 2. In the case of a T shaped frame element, the container portion has a substantially rigid base such that support may be provided for the articles held therein. The container portion 11 is preferably suitable for storing ski boots and like articles, although it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not so limiting as to prevent other articles being stored therein.

At one end of the frame element, there is provided ground engaging means 13 which in the example comprises a pair of wheels 14 of which one is shown. The wheels may be located either side of the frame element, or alternatively, other ground engaging means, for example a roller, may be provided towards a middle part of the frame element.

In Figure 1, the wheels are shown as being provided on a common axle which extends across the frame element and container portion, the axle indicated at 15. The axle is preferably moveable relative to the container portion in a direction generally upwardly from the frame element 12.

The ground engaging means is positioned such that the storage apparatus may be tilted thereon thus permitting the storage apparatus to be moved along the ground by a person. By virtue of the different relative positions that the ground engaging means may occupy with respect to the container portion, imbalances in weight distribution in the container portion may be compensated for. For example, if the articles contained in the container portion were substantially heavier towards the top end of the container portion, then the ground engaging means 13 could be moved towards that end to improve the manoeuvrability of the storage apparatus.

The storage apparatus further comprises releasable engagement means 16, which is shown in greater detail by the enlarged portion 17 accompanying Figure 1. The releasable engagement means is such that a second article, in this example skis 18, maybe inserted therein. The releasable engagement means is preferably adapted to accommodate elongate articles such as skis, and preferably comprises a resiliently biased grip lock 19 which in a clamped position as shown in Figure 1 engages a face of the article. The engagement means is provided with a lever 20 which may be foot operable which allows the grip to be released and thus the article to be removed or adjusted in the releasable engagement means. The releasable engagement means may be situated on the container portion or the frame element, and may be such that the skis can pass therethrough. This again may enable the user to alter the stability of the storage apparatus by altering the amount of weight which is present either side of the releasable engagement means.

For the storage apparatus to be moved by a person, an end of the skis is used as a handle for the apparatus which allows the apparatus to be tilted on the ground engaging means 13. A separate handle element 21 may also be provided to facilitate this, and a pistol grip type handle 22 has been found to be particularly suitable.

There may further be provided a braking element on the apparatus, which may prevent unwanted movement of the apparatus when not in its tilted moveable position. The braking element may act on the ground engaging means and in such a case may be a conventional foot operated brake. Alternatively, the braking element may consist of a foot or similar protrusion on the base of the apparatus, indicated at 23. A rubber foot or foot of similar material would be suitable for most situations, but if the apparatus was to be used in icy or snowy conditions, this could be replaced with a sharpened or pointed protrusion. Similarly, when the apparatus is employed in snowy or icy conditions, the wheels 14 may be replaced by skids, for example skis, such that manoeuvrability of the apparatus is improved.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a different embodiment, in which the container portion is not shown. In Figure 2, the frame element 12 is of a T shape, and is provided with a receiving part 30 which is adapted for engagement with a bottom part of the container portion 11. The ground engaging means is shown as wheels situated on a common axle 31 but it will be appreciated that in the case where the frame element 12 is not T shaped, the wheels may be provided on separate axles or outwardly extending arms, or any other suitable arrangement. In order for the ground engaging means to be adjustable relative to the frame element/container portion, the arms may be pivotable relative thereto so as to permit of the adjustment described above. In Figure 2, the releasable engagement means is shown as a box comprising a locking device 32 although any suitable engagement device could be employed.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a different embodiment of the invention, in which the second article is attached to a different part of the container portion or frame element. In this example, the skis 18 are located at the rear of the container portion 11 and are located at their base in a pouch 40 and secured to the container portion 11 by a hook and loop fastener 41 consisting of a strap 42 which is attachable to a patch 43. There is further provided at the rear of the container portion 11 a backing 44 which is preferably of a relatively high friction coefficient material, and a rubber backing has been found to be particularly suitable. It will be appreciated however, that alternative straps, patches, or backings may be employed as alternatives without departing from the scope of the invention.

Additionally, there are provided two D-rings 45 on the rear of the container portion at positions such that the skis pass between them, which enable the skis to be tightly held by the strap 42.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, these show a further embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the invention. In Figure 4 the apparatus is shown in an extended condition and in Figure 5 the apparatus is shown in a collapsed condition which it is able to assume for storage purposes so

as to occupy a reduced space when not in use at all, or for temporary relatively secure storage of articles when pursuing a recreation or sport such as skiing, as described hereafter.

The apparatus comprises two frame elements, eg of tubular metal, indicated generally at 100, 101 of which the former is a somewhat U-shaped element comprising spaced parallel limb portions 102, 103 joined by a body portion 104 extending transversely of the apparatus. The free ends of the limb portions 102, 103 are fixed by welding to a member 105 extending transversely of the apparatus and having at its ends upwardly turned bracket portions 106. The frame element 101 likewise is generally u-shaped, comprises parallel limb portions 107, 108 joined by a portion 109, and the free ends of the limbs 107, 108 are pivoted to the brackets 106. The respective frame elements are thus able to pivot relative to one another between the extended and collapsed conditions as shown in Figures 4 and 5 respectively. For retaining the two frame elements in the extended condition relative to one another the limbs 102, 107 are joined by a pair of pivoted links arranged as a toggle mechanism 110 and the limbs 103, 108 of the frames are joined at the other side of the apparatus by a further toggle mechanism indicated at 111.

Beneath the member 105 there is secured by welding a tubular member 112. This is able to receive at its opposite ends respective stub axles for supporting wheels 113. One of such stub axles is clearly shown at 114, and it will be noted that the stub axle includes at its opposite ends respective retaining members 115 which are spring biased radially outwardly of the stub axle but are able by finger pressure to be retracted into the interior of the stub axle. The tubular member 112 is provided with apertures (not shown) near its ends, so that each stub axle is able to be fitted to the tubular member 112 by pressing the retaining member into the interior of the stub axle to enable the stub axle to be inserted into the end portion of the tubular member and brought to a position wherein the retaining member is in alignment with the appropriate aperture in the tubular member. Then, under its spring biasing, the retaining member extends

outwardly through such aperture to retain the stub axle. The wheel is fitted to the stub axle analogously by retraction of the other retaining member 115 into the interior of the stub axle and fitting the wheel over the free end thereof until it has passed the retaining member, whereupon the latter can spring outwardly to retain the wheel. Removal of the wheel and stub axle from the apparatus is effected by retraction of the retaining members 115 in the reverse of the above sequence.

The frame elements 100, 101 carry a flexible bag indicated in outline at 120. As illustrated, the bag 120 is of a shape and size suitable to receive a pair of ski boots as well as some other clothing, equipment or the like. It may be closed by, for example, a zip fastener, and have a carrying handle or strap as indicated at 121. The bag is secured to the frame elements of the apparatus by fastening devices indicated at 122. The illustrated fastening devices 122 are buckle straps which encircle the respective frame elements but it will be appreciated that other fixing devices may be utilised.

The member 105 has secured thereto in its central region a bracket 125 which defines a formation of a shape and size suitable for receiving an end part of a pair of skis 126. The member 105 has an upwardly extending resilient but relatively stiff somewhat U-shaped gripping member 127 and the portion 109 of the frame element 101 has a similar gripping member 128. The gripping members 127, 128 are able when a pair of skis is fitted thereto as illustrated, (with the skis passed behind the member 128 and in front of the member 127) frictionally to hold such pair of skis relative to the apparatus. As an alternative to the gripping members 127, 128, some other means for retaining a pair of skis could be provided, e.g. a clamping device or the like as referred to above in relation to another embodiment of the present invention.

When a pair of skis is thus held by the apparatus, they may act as a handle for wheeling the apparatus about. A pistol grip handle as 22 may be attached to the skis at a position remote from the apparatus to facilitate this. When no skis are thus held, the gripping member 128 may act as a handle for lifting the apparatus whether in the collapsed or extended condition.

It will be appreciated that since the bag 120 is flexible, it is possible even when the apparatus is in or approaching its collapsed condition as shown in Figure 5 for an article or articles to be held within the bag in the spaced defined between the parallel limbs of the generally U-shaped frame elements 100, 101. Such article or articles could not be as big as the pair of ski boots which the apparatus is able to carry when in its extended condition, but may be a pair of "street" shoes or other items of clothing. By use of an appropriate locking means, e.g. a padlock and chain engaging the frame elements 100, 101, such frame elements may be locked in the collapsed condition and thus any such article or articles held in the bag in such condition held with a degree of security by the apparatus. Such a locking means may also be used to secure the apparatus to, for example, a fence post or item of street furniture to prevent theft of the apparatus and the article(s) held thereby.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.