Field of the invention

The invention relates to an improved ski securing mechanism. In particular, the invention relates to a quick release ski securing mechanism comprising a lock pin and corresponding lock pin bush.

Background of the invention

Winter sports, especially skiing, are unwaveringly popular. The market is filled with equipment for these sports, both essential equipment and convenient ancillary equipment, and inventors are constantly improving them.

Notwithstanding the efforts of skilled inventors over many years, carrying skis around a ski resort remains cumbersome and difficult. Typically, a user wishing to walk around a ski resort in between skiing events will remove her skis from her ski boots and walk wearing the boots, while carrying the skis and poles by hand.

Walking is not easy when wearing ski boots because of reduced ankle mobility, and carrying skis and poles by hand is both difficult and potentially dangerous.

Ski bags are often provided when purchasing skis and poles. These, however, are more suitable as luggage for long journeys than they are for brief journeys on foot, and they do not typically accommodate ski boots. It is also not possible to ski while carrying a typical ski bag, meaning the user must securely store the bag while skiing.

More convenient and lightweight arrangements for carrying skis exist. Often these take the form of backpacks with ski securing straps. These allow the user to carry the skis on her back in between skiing events, and to keep the backpack on while skiing without great inconvenience.

The straps and other attachment means used for securing skis to backpacks are typically very primitive, and not very secure. They do not usually provide for safely securing the poles and the boots as well. Skis and poles are not typically secured to prior art backpacks in a secure and rigid fashion, which can lead to accidents or uncomfortable shifts in weight as the user walks.

Improvements to the ski attachment means of ski carrying equipment are needed in order to overcome some of the deficiencies of the prior art.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a ski securing mechanism comprising: a base assembly, having a lock pin bush secured to a distal face of a support plate, such that the lock pin bush is open distally to receive a corresponding lock pin; a lock pin, having a proximal end for lockable engagement with the lock pin bush, and a lock release mechanism at its distal end, the lock pin being threaded externally along a distal portion of its length; a holding plate having a central hole for receiving the locking pin; and a locking nut, internally threaded to engage with the external thread of the lock pin; wherein: the support plate extends laterally from the lock pin bush in two opposing directions, and both lateral extensions bend distally; and the holding plate extends laterally from the central hole in two opposing directions and at least a portion of both lateral extensions bend proximally.

Thus, the invention provides a convenient snap fit, quick release locking mechanism capable of securing a pair of skis to the support plate, and whatever apparatus to which the support plate may be attached. Each ski is supported on a respective side of the lock pin, and lateral motion is prevented by the proximal extensions of the holding plate and the distal extensions of the support plate. It is easy to fix the lock pin to the lock pin bush ones the skis are in position, and it is just as easy to remove the lock pin from the lock pin bush using the lock release mechanism when the skis are retrieved.

In some embodiments, a portion of both holding plate lateral extensions bends distally, and wherein a respective snap fit connector for receiving a ski pole is secured to each of the distal ends of the distally bending portions of the holding plate lateral extensions. Thus, the user can also secure ski poles to the ski securing mechanism with an easy snap fit connector. The ski poles are secured rigidly, close to and parallel with the skis, making them easy to carry if the ski securing mechanism is attached to a carrier.

In some embodiments, the ski securing mechanism further comprises a first fixing plate and a second fixing plate, wherein: the proximal face of the support plate is fixed to the distal face of the first fixing plate; the first and second fixing plates are configured to be fixed together, in use, so as to secure between them a portion of a ski carrying apparatus.

Thus, the ski securing mechanism can easily be attached to a ski carrier, such as a ski-carrying backpack. A portion of the fabric of a backpack can be sandwiched between the two fixing plates, and the fixing plates can then be fixed together, for example using bolts or other suitable means. This, conveniently, makes the ski securing mechanisms retrofittable if required.

The invention also provides a ski carrying apparatus comprising two of the ski securing mechanisms of the invention, the two ski securing mechanisms having a substantially vertical in-use alignment.

In order to secure a set of skis (and, optionally, poles) in a rigid and vertical arrangement to a ski carrier, such as a backpack, two ski securing mechanisms are required. In use, the skis will be carried vertically, with the ski boots still attached and facing away from each other. The ski boots may prevent the skis from sliding out from the ski securing mechanisms vertically, but preferably the locking nut will be tightened in use so that the skis are clamped securely between the holding plate and the support plate, so that it is not essential that the ski boots remain attached.

In some embodiments, the ski carrying apparatus is in the form of a backpack. Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to a preferred embodiment and the following drawing.

Figure 1 depicts a ski securing mechanism according to the invention.

Detailed description

Figure 1 shows a ski securing mechanism 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The mechanism comprises a lock pin, a support structure, and a holding structure.

The lock pin 2 has, at its distal end, a lock pin actuator 3, and, protruding laterally from its proximal end, a spherical ball (not shown). When actuated, the lock pin actuator 3 causes the spherical ball (not shown) to retreat into the lock pin 2 body. A lock pin cap 4 encircles and shields the lock pin actuator 3. A distal section 5 of the body of the lock pin 2 is externally threaded, for reasons that will be made clear below.

The support structure comprises a lock pin bush 6, a support plate 7, a first fixing plate 8 and a second fixing plate 9.

The lock pin bush 6 comprises a sleeve of circular cross section which is open at its distal end and secured to the centre of the distal face of the support plate 7 at its proximal end. An annular ridge (not shown) is formed in its internal surface, configured to receive, in use, the spherical ball (not shown) when it is not retracted, so as to lock the proximal end of the lock pin 2 within the lock pin bush 6.

The support plate 7 extends laterally from its interface with the lock pin bush 6, and each extending portion is bent distally. As will become apparent, this helps to prevent the lateral escape of skis, when the ski securing mechanism is in use. The unbent central portion of the proximal face of the support plate 7 is fixed to the proximal face of the first fixing plate 8. The first fixing plate 8 is rectangular and has fixing through-holes 10 at its corners. These may be internally threaded, depending on the fixing means (not shown) selected, discussed below.

The second fixing plate 9 is similar to the first fixing plate 8, having corresponding fixing through-holes 11.

The holding structure comprises a holding plate 12 and a locking nut 13.

The holding plate 12 has a central through-hole 14 sized to slidingly receive the externally threaded portion 5 of the lock pin 2. It extends laterally to either side of the central through-hole 14, and each extending portion comprises a respective two proximally bent arms 15 flanking a respective distally bent arm 16. In use, the proximally bent arms 15 cooperate with the distally bent portions of the support plate 7 to prevent the lateral escape of skis. Respective snap fit connectors 17 are fixed to the distal ends of the distally bent arms 16. In use, ski poles can be secured to the snap fit connectors 17.

The locking nut 13 is internally threaded to engage with the externally threaded section 5 of the lock nut 2. In use, when skis are inserted between the support plate 7 and the holding plate 12, the locking nut 13 is screwed proximally so as to press against the holding plate 12 and clamp the skis securely between the support plate 7 and the holding plate 12.

The skilled person will appreciate that the components of the ski securing mechanism 1 could be formed of a variety of suitable materials, selected for strength, rigidity and, at least in the case of the snap fit connectors 17, an appropriate level of flexibility and resilience. To give some examples, stainless steel and polypropylene may be selected for the manufacture of the mechanism.

Figure 2 depicts a ski carrying apparatus 20 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The ski carrying apparatus 20 comprises a backpack 21 and two ski securing mechanisms 22 according to the invention. The ski carrying apparatus is depicted in its ‘in use’ orientation, that is, in the orientation it would have when worn on the back of a person who is upright (in terms of posture; the invention is suitable for use by the just and the unjust alike).

A pair of skis 23 and a pair of ski poles 24 are secured to the backpack 21 by means of the ski securing mechanism 22. The skis 23 and ski poles 24 are held rigidly and vertically, because the ski securing mechanisms 22 are vertically aligned.

Although the invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, these embodiments are not limiting. For example, the ski carrying apparatus could be adapted to be carried by hand with the skis horizontal, and it could have any other suitable configuration. The ski-pole securing branches

16 of the holding plate need not be flanked by respective pairs of proximally bending branches 15; rather, each ski-pole securing branch 16 could be adjacent to a respective single distally bending branch 15, or indeed could be omitted altogether with the poles carried by hand or by some other means. The skilled reader will appreciate that many modifications could be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.