CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

This application claims the priority benefit of US Provisional Applications Nos.

62/354,205 filed June 24, 2016, and 62/426,874 filed November 28, 2016, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT:

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM

LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

This invention relates to a system for locking ski poles into a system for carrying skis.

Carrying skis between the end of the ski runs and a storage location or a vehicle for transport presents difficulties for many skiers, particularly children and parents trying to manage the equipment of their children as well as their own. Placing skis over the shoulder can cause pain if the skis dig in, and poses a potential hazard to people walking nearby if a person suddenly turns. Carrying skis across the body is an alternative, but this requires substantial arm strength and coordination, and is subject to slippage if the skis become separated.

Ski poles have been used as handles for carrying skis in the past. For example, ski pole straps have been slipped over opposing ends of a pair of skis. However, this is less workable with newer, wider ski designs and does not provide great stability since skis can slip out if the carrying point is not maintained in a well-centered position.

Devices for carrying skis that clamp around the skis are also known, for example from US Patents No. 4,274,571; 4,852,931 and D280,360. While these devices answer some concerns about the stability of the assembly being carried, they also require a separate piece of equipment that must be carried by a user while skiing to be of any particular use. This is inconvenient, and can pose a risk if the skier falls on the carrier while skiing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention solves the problems of the art by providing a ski and pole carrier system comprising

(a) a plurality of base units that are affixed to the skis during use for skiing as well as when carried, and

(b) clasp arms associated with the base units that extend to lock onto ski poles to hold them in a position parallel to the skis as carrying handles.

In general, the base units are disposed so that two clasp arms will extend from each ski of a pair of skis to be transported, with the clasp arms positioned to be in front of and behind the center of mass of the ski. This facilitates balance of the locked together system for carrying.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS:

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the

accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a view of one embodiment of the ski pole locking system in use to carry skis and poles;

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of one embodiment of a base for use as a front base;

FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of one embodiment of a base for use as a front base without a clasp arm; FIG. 4 shows a top perspective view of one embodiment of a mount having a base and a clasp arm with the clasp arm in an "open" and "out" configuration to accept a ski pole shaft;

FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of one embodiment of a front base and a clasp arm (without the pivot end);

FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of one embodiment of the clasp arm;

FIG. 7 shows a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the front pole locking base with a channel but without a clasp arm and a side cut— out section for cable locking components;

FIG. 8 shows a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the front base showing a recess for locking device elements (such as combination lock and/or cable), electronic chips and Global Positioning System elements (GPS);

FIG. 9 shows a side exploded side view of one embodiment of a base, a front ski binding and a clasp arm; and

FIG. 10 shows a side view of one embodiment of a base, a clasp arm and a clip for holding the clasp arm in place when not in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

Ski pole locking systems and methods of use will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the ski pole locking system are configured to allow a use to carry skis or multiple sets of skis in one hand like a pocket book, briefcase, small luggage (e.g., parent carrying their skis and their kid's skis) and younger children and beginning skiers are able to more easily carry skis and poles as one unit. Embodiments can help reduce a skier's fumbling with gloves, pockets etc. Embodiments can help keep skis and poles together while in lift line, on a tram, on a gondola, during parking lot transportation etc. Some embodiments also include locking mechanisms to provide a convenient locking system to reduce the chances of stolen poles and skis.

In one embodiment, the ski pole locking system comprises one or more mounts with each mount having a base and a clasp arm. The base functions to couple the clasp arm with the ski. The clasp arm functions to couple the skis and the base with a user's ski poles. The clasp arm is configured to articulate so that it can be positioned to engage with the user's poles and can also be placed in a position that does not interfere with the user skiing when the arms are, not being used to carry the skis.

The ski pole locking system is generally configured to be coupled to the skis to attach/hold a user's skis and poles together as one unit for carrying, handling and storage (see FIG. 1) whereby the skis and poles of a user is in one hand freeing up the other hand. The ski pole locking system may be configured as multiple locking system mounts with a pair of mounts to be coupled to each ski. As shown in FIG. 1, one mount may be coupled onto the ski in front of the front ski binding and the other mount may be coupled onto the ski behind the rear binding. The mount may be coupled to the ski in any manner to securely mount the system to the ski. For example, each ski will have a mount with a base and a clasp arm permanently mounted to the ski in front of the toe/front binding (see FIG. 4) and another mount permanently mounted behind the heel/rear binding on each ski. The mounts may be permanently attached to the skis with a strong peel off tape adhesive and with screws. As further shown in FIG. 1, the user can place the skis together (held together by the ski brakes) and "open" both of the mount so that the clasp arms 11 are exposed and one pole shaft can be attached to the clasp arms of two mounts on one ski and the other pole shaft is attached to the clasp arms of the two mounts on the other ski thus forming the carry handle.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show views of a base, here a front base for mounting in front of the front binding, without the clasp arm. As shown, the base unit has a slot 21 which serves as a receiver the clasp arm, when associated with the base unit and placed in a storage position.

FIG 4 shows a mount having a base unit 20 and a clasp arm 11 with the clasp arm in an extended or open position. The ball 41 is trapped within the groove 42 to hold the clasp arm 11 to the base 20 while allowing it to pivot between the open position, and a closed position in which it is stored in slot 21 in Referring to FIG. 4, the clasp arm is configured to couple the ski pole to the base and the ski. The clasp arm is coupled to the base and is configured to pivot relative to the base. As shown in FIG. 6, the clasp arm 11 has a pivot end (ball 41) and a clasp end 61.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the pivot end couples the clasp arm to the base at a pivot connection. The pivot connection may be any type of connection that allows the clasp arm to pivot relative to the base and move so that the clasp arm may be coupled with a ski pole. The connection may allow the clasp arm to rotate, fold or slide or piston relative to the base and or the binding so that the clasp arm can be put into an "out" configuration. An "out" configuration is one that positions the clasp end is exposed and can be coupled to the ski poles. For example, the pivot end may be a ball that fits into a socket in the base and allows the clasp arm to pivot so that the clasp end extends outside of the area that would otherwise be obstructed by the skis or the bindings. The clasp end is configured to removably couple the ski pole to the clasp arm. As shown in FIG. 6, one embodiment of the clasp end comprises a "C" shaped clasp that snaps onto the ski pole. As shown, the clasp end may also have protrusions to help the user engage the clasp end when it is "closed" so that the user can "open" the clasp arm from the base. When the ski pole locking system is mounted onto the skies and the clasp is "out", the ski pole shaft snaps onto a clasp end in front of the toe binding and behind the rear ski binding.

As shown in FIG. 10, the pivot connection may allow the clasp arm to pivot away from the center of the ski. FIG. 10 also shows an alternative embodiment of a the invention in which a clip 110 is attached to the ski (not shown) that helps keep the clasp arm out of the user's way when they are not using it to carry the ski (for example while skiing). This is an alternative to a concealing channel as shown in other figures.

The base is configured to couple the clasp arm to the ski. As shown in FIG. 4, the base has a clasp arm connector to allow the clasp arm to have a pivot connection with the base. The clasp arm connector may be any type of connector that allow the clasp arm to pivot relative to the base. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the clasp arm connector is a socket to receive a "ball" shaped pivot end of the clasp arm.

The base may also be shaped to removably store the clasp arm when the clasp arm is not being used to carry ski poles. In some embodiments, the base may be configured with a concealing channel such as slot 21 or other concealing mechanism to receive the clasp arm so that it is kept out of the way when a user is skiing. When the clasp arm is concealed, it is in a "closed" configuration and when the clasp arm is taken out of the concealing channel, it is in an "open" configuration. See FIGS. 3-4.

In some embodiments, the base may also be configured with a clasp arm channel that helps orient the clasp arm when it is extended and being used to couple with the ski poles. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the clasp arm channel 42 may help position the clasp arm in the "out" configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the mounts and bases may be shaped differently to conform to the shape of the skis and ski bindings as well as the dynamics of the ski and the snow.

In some embodiments, the ski pole locking system further comprises a locking device to secure skis or skis and poles to another object to prevent theft of the skis and/or poles. In some embodiments, the locking device is a cable and lock combination. The locking device may be integrated in to the base or it may be a separate device coupled to the ski and/or the base. FIG. 8 shows an example of a base with a recess shaped to receive a locking device (e.g. a spool of cable) and channels 81 and 82 to allow the locking device cable to be extended outside of the mount.

The elements of the ski pole locking system may be made from any material suitable to withstand the forces and the weather the system will be exposed to. In one embodiment, the base and the clasp arm or made of a rigid plastic material. In one embodiment the base and the clasp arm are made of a metal.

In some embodiments, elements of the ski pole locking system may be integrated into existing equipment such as a ski binding. For example, the pivot connector and the clasp arms may be integrated into a binding that acts as the base. It is also contemplated that the pivot connector, the clasp arm and the base could be mounted onto the ski using the mounting system of the bindings, for example, under the bindings and using the binding screws (see FIG. 9). In the alternative, the mount and the binding can be part of a unitary assembly.

Additional elements that may be integrated or added to the mount include, but are not limited to a hole (71 in Fig 7) in the base to receive the tip of a ski pole to provide temporary ski pole storage while wearing skis, a screw hole (51 in Fig 5) to receive mounting screws for camera pole accessory for camera's (e.g, GoPro® camera's, iPhones®, Androids®, smartphones, mobile devices), an electronic chip with mobile app and GPS transmitter/receiver to track location of skis. One Example Embodiment of the Ski Pole Locking System in Operation:

As described above, in one embodiment each ski will have a mount with a base and a clasp arm permanently mounted to the ski in front of the toe/front binding (see FIG. 4) and another mount permanently mounted behind the heel/rear binding on each ski. The mounts may be permanently attached to the skis with a strong peel off tape adhesive and with screws.

With the mounts attached to the skis, the ski pole locking system can be used to couple the poles to the mounts and the skis. At some point before attaching the poles, the skis are clipped together bottom-to-bottom by using their ski brakes. To operate the ski pole locking system, the user manually "opens" the mount by exposing the clasp arm. For example, this may be done with the embodiment of FIG. 4 by pivoting the clasp arm out of any concealing channel. The user then positions the clasp arm into an "out" position so that the clasp end can be attached to the poles. When the clasp arm is not used for coupling with the poles, it can be moved back out of the "out" and "open" configuration to a resting or a "closed" configuration in the concealing channel so that it does not interfere with the user's skiing.

The ski pole locking system may be attractive to the skiing market for at least the following reasons: sales of high price point items are faltering while low price point equipment sales are holding ground; the price is right; this is an inexpensive ski accessory with no learning curve to use; the system is easy to install; the system is a great gift for sports oriented person to get and to give; there are not many new unique items left to purchase for this market; rental programs at ski areas could use this device for new skiers who are not used to walking in ski boots and carrying skis and poles therefore enhancing the best skiing experience; binding manufactures could mold the device into the new ski binding as one unit; and the system can be a great new intro product for kid's skis and bindings (all one unit).

Although this invention has been described in the above forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

The various elements described above-can be combined in a system in accordance with the invention in any combinations, including:

1. A ski pole locking system for use in carrying a pair of skis, comprising

(a) a plurality of base units that are affixed to the skis during use for skiing as well as when carried, and

(b) clasp arms associated with the base units that extend to lock onto ski poles to hold them in a position parallel to the skis as carrying handles.

2. The ski pole locking system of paragraph 1, wherein the system has four base units to be affixed in pairs to two skis.

3. The ski pole locking system of paragraph 1 or 2, wherein each of the base units has an opening for receiving an associated clasp arm in a stored position.

4. The ski pole locking system of any of paragraphs 1 to 3, wherein the clasp arms are pivotably affixed to the associated base unit to allow motion between an extended position in which they can lock onto a ski pole shaft, and a closed position for skiing.

5. The ski pole locking system of any of paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein the base units are associated with or part of a ski binding.

6. A combination of a ski pole locking system according to any of paragraphs 1 to 5 and a pair of skis, wherein the ski pole locking system is affixed to the skis. 7. A method for facilitating the carrying of skis comprising the step of affixing a ski pole locking system according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 5 to a pair of skis.

8. A method of carrying skis comprising the steps of

opening the clasp arms of the ski pole locking system of claim 6 to an extended position; and

placing a pair of ski poles into the extended clasp arms to form a carrying handle for the pair of skis.