Ski equipment carrying apparatus

Claim 2

A case for carrying various ski equipment, including skis and ski boots, together in a single package comprising means for enclosing and carrying a pair of ski boots, said means having a pair of external surfaces defining ends of said anchoring means; means for carrying a pair of skis adjacent said ski boot enclosing means including means for covering and supporting at least a central portion of said skis to support the skis with the case and to protect any bindings mounted thereon; the pair of skis, when supported by said carrying means, having their tip and heel portions extending beyond said external surfaces of said boot enclosing means; closure means providing access to said boot enclosing and ski-carrying means for insertion and removal of said boots and skis therein; and means for lifting and carrying said case whereby said case can be manually carried with said lifting and carrying means or attached to a vehicular ski carrier by said extending ski portions.

Claim 3

The case of claim 1 further including means for holding a pair of ski poles adjacent said boots and skis.

Claim 4

The case of claim 2 wherein said pole holding means include means for holding and supporting the central portions of a pair of poles and comprise a portion of said ski carrying means.

Claim 5

The case of claim 2 wherein said ski-supporting means is a rigid compartment formed beneath said boot enclosure means; said central portion covering and supporting means including means for supporting a pair of skis side by side on their bottoms whereby said skis may be mounted on a ski carrier atop a vehicle with said poles and boots secured thereto by said case.

Claim 6

The case of claim 1 wherein said boot enclosure means includes a rigid, boot-holding compartment above said ski-carrying means; said boot compartment including means for supporting a pair of ski boots on their heels in sole-to-sole abutting relationship.

Claim 7

The case of claim 5 wherein said boot enclosure means further include means for partially enclosing and holding a pair of ski poles adjacent said ski boots and skis; said pole enclosing and holding means including means for releasing said enclosing and holding means for removal of the poles therefrom, said releasing means being releasable only from the interior of said case; said ski-carrying means comprising a rigid compartment formed beneath said boot enclosure means; said central portion covering and supporting means including means for supporting a pair of skis side by side on their bottoms whereby said skis may be mounted on a ski carrier atop a vehicle with said poles and boots also retained by said case.

Claim 8

The case of claim 1 wherein said enclosure means include a rigid upper compartment for holding a pair of ski boots on the backs of their heels in sole-to-sole relationShip; said ski-carrying means including a rigid, lower compartment beneath said upper compartment for holding and enclosing the central portion of the skis; partition means for separating said upper and lower compartments; said closure means including a side cover hingedly secured to said case over both of said compartments for allowing simultaneous access to both compartments; means for locking said side cover in its closed position over said compartments; said compartments and side cover all being molded from impact-resistant, synthetic material.

Claim 9

The case of claim 7 wherein said compartments each include storage areas for small tools, gloves, ski wax, and the like; said upper compartment being lined with a layer of foamed material.

Claim 10

The case of claim 7 wherein the tips and heels of the skis project from said lower compartment when mounted therein; said case including covers formed from flexible material for enclosing the tip and heel portions of the skis which project from said lower compartment; means for removably securing said covers to the exterior of said case after said covers are placed over said skis.

Claim 11

The case of claim 7 including a shoulder strap for carrying said entire case including boots, skis, and poles and means for removably securing said strap to said case.

Claim 12

The case of claim 7 wherein the edges of said side cover and the edges of the remainder of said case which mate with said side cover edges when said cover is closed include mating tongues and grooves for maintaining said side cover and the remainder of said case in alignment and for adding structural rigidity to said case.

Claim 13

The case of claim 1 in combination with at least one ski supported by said ski carrying means of said case and a ski carrier for vehicles of a type including means secured to a vehicle for supporting and holding said ski and case combination by engaging portions of said case and ski combination.

Claim 14

The improved ski carrier of claim 12 wherein said ski enclosing means include a rigid lower compartment in said case; said boot-supporting and enclosing means including a rigid upper compartment above said lower compartment including means for holding a pair of ski boots on the backs of their heels in sole-to-sole relationship including a partition separating said upper compartment from said lower compartment.

Claim 15

The improved ski carrier of claim 13 wherein said lower compartment includes elongated apertures at either end thereof extending generally across the width of said case for receiving and supporting a pair of skis on their bottoms in side-by-side relationship, the tip and heel ends of the skis projecting from said elongated apertures for attachment to said supporting means secured to the vehicle.

Claim 16

The improved ski carrier of claim 14 including covers formed from flexible material for enclosing the tip and heel portions of the skis which project from said lower compartment; means for removably securing said covers to the exterior of said case after placing said covers on said skis.

Claim 17

The improved ski carrier of claim 13 wherein said case includes means for holding a pair of ski poles.

Claim 18

The case of claim 1 wherein said ski-carrying means are located generally below said ski boot enclosing means.

Claim 19

The case of claim 17 wherein said ski-carrying means include a compartment for generally enclosing and surrounding the central portions of the skis when supported therein.

Claim 20

The case of claim 17 wherein said ski-carrying means include a compartment separate from said ski boot enclosing means, said compartment having two ends and a slot in each end, said slots being aligned with one another for receiving a pair of skis therein such that the tip and heel portions of the skis protrude from said compartment through said slots.

Claim 21

The case of claim 19 including pole holding means for holding a pair of ski poles adjacent any skis which are in said compartment.

Claim 22

The case of claim 20 wherein said pole holding means include portions of said slots, said slots being sufficiently wide to receive the poles therein adjacent the skis.

Claim 23

The case of claim 1 wherein said ski carrying means include cover means extending outwardly from said ski covering and supporting means for covering the extending tip and heel portions of any skis supported thereby, said cover means generally conforming to the shape of the extending ski portions.

Claim 24

The case of claim 1 wherein said access means for insertion and removal of said boots and skis include closure means having a side cover for covering both said boot enclosing means and ski carrying means and means for hingedly securing said side cover over said boot enclosing means and ski carrying means.

Claim 25

A case for carrying various ski equipment, including skis and ski boots, together in a single package comprising means for enclosing and holding a pair of ski boots; means for supporting a pair of skis adjacent to one another and adjacent the boots, said ski-supporting means including means for enclosing the central portion of the pair of skis including any binding mounted thereon while the tips and heels of the skis project from said ski enclosing means; closure means for opening and closing said case for insertion and removal of said boots and skis in said boot-enclosing and ski-supporting means; and means for lifting and carrying said case; said boot enclosure means including a rigid, boot-holding compartment above said ski-supporting means; said boot compartment including means for supporting a pair of ski boots on their heels in sole-to-sole abutting relationship; said boot enclosure means further including means for partially enclosing and holding a pair of ski poles adjacent said ski boots; said pole enclosing and holding means including means for releasing said enclosing and holding means to remove the poles therefrom; said releasing means being releasable only from the interior of said case; said ski-supporting means comprising a rigid compartment formed beneath said boot enclosure means; said central portion enclosing means including means for supporting a pair of skis side by side on their bottoms whereby said skis may be mounted on a ski carrier atop a vehicle with the poles and boots secured thereto by said case; said ski pole holding means including a channel member for enclosing at least a middle portion of a pair of ski poles; hinge means for pivotally securing said channel on said case; said pole release means including pivotal securing means for holding said channel closed.

Claim 26

A case for carrying various ski equipment, including skis and ski boots, together in a single package comprising means for enclosing and holding a pair of ski boots; means for supporting a pair of skis adjacent to one another and adjacent the boots, said ski-supporting means including means for enclosing the central portion of the pair of skis including any binding mounted thereon while the tips and heels of the skis project from said ski enclosing means; closure means for opening and closing said case for insertion and removal of said boots and skis in said boot-enclosing and ski-supporting means; and means for lifting and carrying said case; said boot enclosure means including a rigid, boot-holding compartment above said ski-supporting means; said boot compartment including means for supporting a pair of ski boots on their heels in sole-to-sole abutting relationship; said boot enclosure means further including means for partially enclosing and holding a pair of ski poles adjacent said ski boots; said pole enclosing and holding means including means for releasing said enclosing and holding means to remove the poles therefrom; said releasing means being releasable only from the interior of said case; said ski-supporting means comprising a rigid compartment formed beneath said boot enclosure means; said central portion enclosing means including means for supporting a pair of skis side by side on their bottoms whereby said skis may be mounted on a ski carrier atop a vehicle with the poles and boots secured thereto by said case; said ski pole holding means including a channel member for enclosing at least a middle portion of a pair of ski poles; hinge means for pivotally securing said channel on said case; said pole release means including pivotal securing means for holding said channel closed.

Claim 27

The case of claim 24 wherein said closure means includes a separate side portion covering both said boot and ski compartment and means for hingedly securing said side portion at the bottom of said case for opening and closing said case; said lifting and carrying means including a handle at the top of said case.

Claim 28

A case for carrying various ski equipment, including skis and ski boots, together in a single package comprising means for enclosing and holding a pair of ski boots; means for supporting a pair of skis adjacent to one another and adjacent the boots, said ski-supporting means including means for enclosing the central portion of the pair of skis including any binding mounted thereon while the tips and heels of the skis project from said ski enclosing means; closure means for opening and closing said case for insertion and removal of said boots and skis in said boot-enclosing and ski-supporting means; and means for lifting and carrying said case; said enclosure means including a rigid upper compartment for holding a pair of ski boots on the back of their heels in sole-to-sole relationship; said ski-supporting and enclosing means including a rigid, lower compartment beneath said upper compartment for holding and enclosing said central portion of said skis; partition means for separating said upper and lower compartments; said closure means including a side cover hingedly secured to said case over Both of said compartments for allowing simultaneous access to both compartments; means for locking said side cover in its closed position over said compartments; said compartments and side cover all being molded from impact-resistant, synthetic material; said side cover including means for holding a pair of ski poles thereon, said pole-holding means having a channel member for enclosing at least a middle portion of a pair of ski poles; hinge means for pivotally securing said channel on said cover; and locking securing means for holding said channel closed, said locking securing means including channel release means accessible only from the interior of said case.

Claim 29

A case for carrying various ski equipment, including skis and ski boots, together in a single package comprising means for enclosing and holding a pair of ski boots; means for supporting a pair of skis adjacent to one another and adjacent the boots, said ski-supporting means including means for enclosing the central portion of the pair of skis including any binding mounted thereon while the tips and heels of the skis project from said ski enclosing means; closure means for opening and closing said case for insertion and removal of said boots and skis in said boot-enclosing and ski-supporting means; and means for lifting and carrying said case; said enclosure means including a rigid upper compartment for holding a pair of ski boots on the back of their heels in sole-to-sole relationship; said ski-supporting and enclosing means including a rigid, lower compartment beneath said upper compartment for holding and enclosing said central portion of said skis; partition means for separating said upper and lower compartments; said closure means including a side cover hingedly secured to said case over Both of said compartments for allowing simultaneous access to both compartments; means for locking said side cover in its closed position over said compartments; said compartments and side cover all being molded from impact-resistant, synthetic material; said side cover including means for holding a pair of ski poles thereon, said pole-holding means having a channel member for enclosing at least a middle portion of a pair of ski poles; hinge means for pivotally securing said channel on said cover; and locking securing means for holding said channel closed, said locking securing means including channel release means accessible only from the interior of said case.

Claim 30

A rigid carrying case for ski boots, ski poles, skis, and other skiing equipment molded from high-impact resilient plastic comprising a first compartment for enclosing and holding a pair of ski boots; a partition; a second compartment separated from and located below said first compartment by said partition for supporting a pair of skis and generally covering the central area of the skis and any bindings mounted thereon; a cover hingedly secured over a side of both of said compartments for access thereto; and means for attaching a pair of ski poles on the exterior of said case; said pole-attaching means including release means for releasing the poles only from the interior of said case when said cover is open; and means for lifting and carrying said case.

Claim 31

A rigid carrying case for ski boots, ski poles, skis, and other skiing equipment molded from high-impact resilient plastic comprising a first compartment for enclosing and holding a pair of ski boots; a partition; a second compartment separated from and located below said first compartment by said partition for supporting a pair of skis and generally covering the central area of the skis and any bindings mounted thereon; a cover hingedly secured over a side of both of said compartments for access thereto; and means for attaching a pair of ski poles on the exterior of said case; said pole-attaching means including release means for releasing the poles only from the interior of said case when said cover is open; and means for lifting and carrying said case.

Claim 32

The carrying case of claim 27 wherein said first compartment is contoured to hold the pair of boots while they rest on the backs of their heels and have their soles in abutting relationship.

Claim 33

The carrying case of claim 27 wherein said second compartment includes laterally elongated, opposingly aligned apertures for receiving the pair of skis adjacent one another in side-by-side relationship; the tip and heel portions of the skis projecting from said apertures when the skis are received in said second compartment.

Claim 34

A rigid carrying case for ski boots, ski poles, skis, and other skiing equipment molded from high-impact, resilient plastic comprising a first compartment for enclosing and holding a pair of ski boots; a partition; a second compartment separated from and located below said first compartment by said partition for supporting a pair of skis and enclosing the central area of the skis and any binding mounted thereon; a cover hingedly secured over a side of both of said compartments for access thereto; and means for attaching a pair of ski poles on the exterior of said case; said pole-attaching means including release means for releasing the poles only from the interior of said case when said cover is open; and means for lifting and carrying said case; said ski pole attaching means including a channel and hinge means for securing said channel to the interior of said cover for pivotal movement allowing insertion of said cover for pivotal movement allowing insertion of said poles in said channel; said release means including flanges extending through apertures in said cover and locking bars pivotally secured to the ends of said flanges for pivoting across said apertures on the interior of said cover to prevent pivotal movement of said channel and removal of said poles unless said cover is open and said locking bars are accessible.

Claim 35

A rigid carrying case for ski boots, ski poles, skis, and other skiing equipment molded from high-impact, resilient plastic comprising a first compartment for enclosing and holding a pair of ski boots; a partition; a second compartment separated from and located below said first compartment by said partition for supporting a pair of skis and enclosing the central area of the skis and any binding mounted thereon; a cover hingedly secured over a side of both of said compartments for access thereto; and means for attaching a pair of ski poles on the exterior of said case; said pole-attaching means including release means for releasing the poles only from the interior of said case when said cover is open; and means for lifting and carrying said case; said ski pole attaching means including a channel and hinge means for securing said channel to the interior of said cover for pivotal movement allowing insertion of said cover for pivotal movement allowing insertion of said poles in said channel; said release means including flanges extending through apertures in said cover and locking bars pivotally secured to the ends of said flanges for pivoting across said apertures on the interior of said cover to prevent pivotal movement of said channel and removal of said poles unless said cover is open and said locking bars are accessible.

Claim 36

A rigid carrying case for ski boots, skis, and other skiing equipment comprising a first compartment for enclosing and carrying a pair of ski boots, said first compartment having a pair of external surfaces defining ends of said first compartment; a partition; a second compartment separated from and located generally below said first compartment by said partition including means for supporting a pair of skis such that their tip and heel portions extend beyond said external surfaces of said first compartment and means for generally covering the central area of the skis and any bindings mounted thereon when supported by said supporting means; cover means providing access to said compartments; and meaNs for lifting and carrying said case whereby said case can be manually carried with said lifting and carrying means or attached to a vehicular ski carrier by said extending ski portions.

Claim 37

A rigid carrying case for ski boots, skis, and other skiing equipment comprising a first compartment for enclosing and carrying a pair of ski boots, said first compartment having a pair of external surfaces defining ends of said first compartment; a partition; a second compartment separated from and located generally below said first compartment by said partition including means for supporting a pair of skis such that their tip and heel portions extend beyond said external surfaces of said first compartment and means for generally covering the central area of the skis and any bindings mounted thereon when supported by said supporting means; cover means providing access to said compartments; and meaNs for lifting and carrying said case whereby said case can be manually carried with said lifting and carrying means or attached to a vehicular ski carrier by said extending ski portions.

Claim 38

The carrying case of claim 31 wherein said second compartment includes two generally opposing ends, each end including an aperture for receiving a pair of skis adjacent one another therein, said two apertures being generally aligned such that the tip and heel portions of the skis project through said apertures when the skis are received in said second compartment.

Claim 39

The carrying case of claim 32 including means for holding a pair of ski poles.