US3921871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ski storing, protecting, and carrying apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-12-16
•
Granted: 1975-11-25
•
Expires: 1994-12-16
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for storing, protecting, and carrying first and second snow skis having their bottom surfaces placed adjacent to each other is disclosed including, in the preferred embodiment, a container and a saddle. The container is thin-walled, elongated, and hollow and includes container portions arranged in a telescopic relation. The preferred three portions of the container can also be locked at any of several desired step locations intended to conform to differing length skis. First and second snow skis are removably captured within the interior of the container first by a protrusion formed integrally with a closed end of one of the container portions which engages and holds the ends of the skis, second by a sloped bottom surface formed integral with the closed end of another container portion which urges the ski tips upward, and third by the saddle located within the tip container portion which limits the upward movement of the skis. The container can be carried by either a handle formed in the container or by a shoulder strap which can be attached to the container. The container can further be attached to a ski rack by use of an anchor disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W Heil
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:42
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63C; A63C11/00; A63C11/02; A63C11/027; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S224/00; Y10S224/917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
418 words
Apparatus for storing, protecting, and carrying a first snow ski and a second snow ski with the first snow ski having a bottom surface, an end, and a tip formed on the forward portion of the snow ski and curved from the bottom surface and with the second ski having a bottom surface, an end, and a tip formed on the forward portion of the snow ski and curved from the bottom surface with the bottom surface of the first ski adjacent to the bottom surface of the second ski, comprising in combination: a rigid, hollow, thin-walled elongated container having a first closed end and a second closed end spaced from the first closed end, with the container also including at least a first portion and a second portion being in a telescopic relation; and means for telescopically capturing the first and second snow skis within the container when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion to prevent longitudinal movement of the first and second snow skis within the container and for allowing the container to be used for several length of skis, comprising: first means for engaging and holding the end of the first snow ski; second means for engaging and holding the end of the second snow ski; and third means for retaining the tip of the first snow ski and the tip of the second snow ski to prevent latitudinal movement in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and for centrally aligning the forward portions of the first and second snow skis within the container when the second portion is telescoped with the first comprising: fourth means for urging the tip of the first snow ski in a latitudinal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container; fifth means for urging the tip of the second snow ski in a latitudinal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container; sixth means for limiting movement of the first snow ski in a direction opposite to the latitudinal direction which the first snow ski is urged by the fourth urging means; and seventh means for limiting movement of the second snow ski in a direction opposite to the latitudinal direction which the second snow ski is urged by the fifth urging means to thereby removably capture the first and second snow skis within the container when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion to prevent the skis from bouncing, rattling, or moving inside the container during transit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
418 words
Apparatus for storing, protecting, and carrying a first snow ski and a second snow ski with the first snow ski having a bottom surface, an end, and a tip formed on the forward portion of the snow ski and curved from the bottom surface and with the second ski having a bottom surface, an end, and a tip formed on the forward portion of the snow ski and curved from the bottom surface with the bottom surface of the first ski adjacent to the bottom surface of the second ski, comprising in combination: a rigid, hollow, thin-walled elongated container having a first closed end and a second closed end spaced from the first closed end, with the container also including at least a first portion and a second portion being in a telescopic relation; and means for telescopically capturing the first and second snow skis within the container when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion to prevent longitudinal movement of the first and second snow skis within the container and for allowing the container to be used for several length of skis, comprising: first means for engaging and holding the end of the first snow ski; second means for engaging and holding the end of the second snow ski; and third means for retaining the tip of the first snow ski and the tip of the second snow ski to prevent latitudinal movement in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and for centrally aligning the forward portions of the first and second snow skis within the container when the second portion is telescoped with the first comprising: fourth means for urging the tip of the first snow ski in a latitudinal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container; fifth means for urging the tip of the second snow ski in a latitudinal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container; sixth means for limiting movement of the first snow ski in a direction opposite to the latitudinal direction which the first snow ski is urged by the fourth urging means; and seventh means for limiting movement of the second snow ski in a direction opposite to the latitudinal direction which the second snow ski is urged by the fifth urging means to thereby removably capture the first and second snow skis within the container when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion to prevent the skis from bouncing, rattling, or moving inside the container during transit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fourth means comprises an inclined cam surface integral with one of the closed ends of the container on which the tip of the first snow skis rides when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion and wherein the fifth means comprises an inclined cam surface integral with one of the closed ends of the container on which the tip of the second snow ski rides when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the sixth and seventh limiting means together comprise a saddle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
148 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the saddle comprises a body having a cross section substantially similar to but slightly smaller than one of the portions of the container and having a cross section substantially similar to but at least equal to the other of the portions of the container such thAt the saddle is removably captured between one of the closed ends of the container and the portion of the container having a slightly smaller cross section than the saddle when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion and with the body including an inverted U-shaped removed portion having a width larger than twice the thickness of the snow ski and having a height larger than the height of the snow ski such that the removed portions can be placed around the first and second snow skis such that the saddle straddles the snow skis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the saddle further comprises storage compartments located around the U-shaped removed portion and an end cap member for closing the storage compartments allowing storage of miscellaneous ski equipment within the saddle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first means comprises a protrusion formed on and integral with one of the closed ends for receiving the end of the first snow ski and wherein the second means comprises a protrusion formed on and integral with one of the closed ends for receiving the end of the second snow ski such that the ends of the skis are captured within and retained within the protrusions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the container further includes a third container portion; and wherein the second container portion includes a first open end, a second open end, a right half, and a left half; the first container portion includes an open end and the first closed end; the third container portion includes an open end and the second closed end with the first and third container portions being in a telescopic relation with the second container portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first container portion is identical to the third container portion and the right half of second container portion is a reverse mirror image of the left half of second container portion allowing the interchangement of the first container portion with the third container portion in the telescopic relation with the second container portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first, second, fourth, and fifth means are formed on both the first and second closed ends.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the fourth and the fifth means are located on the same closed end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for locking the second portion on the first portion at any desired step location.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the locking means includes an elongated channel and a multitude of cross channels which abut and intersect with the elongated channel; the channel lying in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container; the channel and cross channels being formed in one of the container portions; and a lock member carried by the other container portion including a cam portion slidable within the elongated channel and engageable with the cross channels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container further includes a third container portion; and wherein the second container portion includes a first open end, a second open end, a right half, and a left half; the first container portion includes an open end and the first closed end; the third container portion includes an open end and the second closed end with the first and third container portions being in a telescopic relation with the second container portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first container portion is identical to the third container portion and the right half of second container portion is a reverse mirror image of the left half of second container portion allowing the interchangement of the first container portion with the third container portion in the telescopic relation with the second container portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second container portion further includes rails formed on the outside top and bottom surfaces and the first container portion further includes slides formed on the iNside top and bottom surfaces adapted to slide along and are captured along the rails when the first portion is telescoped on the second portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container further comprises ridged portions formed on an outside surface of the container and wherein the apparatus further includes means for attaching the container to a support unit comprising in combination: an attachment strap, an anchor member having a complementary bottom surface corresponding to the ridged portion of the container and means for attaching the strap to the anchor member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first means comprises a protrusion formed on and integral with one of the closed ends for receiving the end of the first snow ski and wherein the second means comprises a protrusion formed on and integral with one of the closed ends for receiving the end of the second snow ski such that the ends of the skis are captured within and retained within the protrusions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first means and the second means are located on the same closed end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the second container portion further includes rails formed on the outside top and bottom surfaces and the first container portion further includes slides formed on the inside top and bottom surfaces and adapted to slide along and be captured along the rails when the first portion is telescoped on the second portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the container further comprises ridged portions formed on an outside surface of the container and wherein the apparatus further includes means for attaching the container to a support unit comprising in combination: an attachment strap, an anchor member having a complementary bottom surface corresponding to the ridged portion of the container and means for attaching the strap to the anchor member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first means comprises a protrusion formed on and integral with one of the closed ends for receiving the end of the first snow ski and wherein the second means comprises a protrusion formed on and integral with one of the closed ends for receiving the end of the second snow ski such that the ends of the skis are captured within and retained within the protrusions
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first, second, fourth, and fifth means are formed on both the first and second closed ends.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first means and the second means are located on the same closed end.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the fourth and the fifth means are located on the same closed end.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the sixth and seventh limiting means together comprise a saddle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
148 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the saddle comprises a body having a cross section substantially similar to but slightly smaller than one of the portions of the container and having a cross section substantially similar to but at least equal to the other of the portions of the container such that the saddle is removably captured between one of the closed ends of the container and the portion of the container having a slightly smaller cross section than the saddle when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion and with the body including an inverted U-shaped removed portion having a width larger than twice the thickness of the snow ski and having a height larger than the height of the snow ski such that the removed portions can be placed around the first and second snow skis such that the saddle straddles the snow skis.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the fourth means comprises an inclined cam surface integral with one of the closed ends of the container on which the tip of the first snow ski rides when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion and wherein the fifth means comprises an inclined cam surface integral with one of the closed ends of the container on which the tip of the second snow ski ridEs when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sixth and seventh limiting means together comprise a saddle.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
148 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the saddle comprises a body having a cross section substantially similar to but slightly smaller than one of the portions of the container and having a cross section substantially similar to but at least equal to the other of the portions of the container such that the saddle is removably captured between one of the closed ends of the container and the portion of the container having a slightly smaller cross section than the saddle when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion and with the body including an inverted U-shaped removed portion having a width larger than twice the thickness of the snow ski and having a height larger than the height of the snow ski such that the removed portions can be placed around the first and second snow skis such that the saddle straddles the snow skis.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the saddle further comprises storage compartments located around the U-shaped removed portion and an end cap member for closing the storage compartments allowing storage of miscellaneous ski equipment within the saddle.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the first means comprises a protrusion formed on and integral with one of the closed ends for receiving the end of the first snow ski and wherein the second means comprises a protrusion formed on and integral with one of the closed ends for receiving the end of the second snow ski such that the ends of the skis are captured within and retained within the protrusions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the first, second, fourth, and fifth means are formed on both the first and second closed ends.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the fourth and the fifth means are located on the same closed end.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the first means and the second means are located on the same closed end.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the second container portion further includes rails formed on the outside top and bottom surfaces and the first container portion further includes slides formed on the inside top and bottom surfaces and adapted to slide along and be captured along the rails when the first portion is telescoped on the second portion.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the saddle includes shoulders formed on the outside top and bottom surfaces and adapted to slide along and be captured along the slides when the first portion is telescoped on the second portion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for locking the first portion on the second portion at any desired step location; and means for locking the third portion on the second portion at any desired step location.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the locking means includes an elongated channel and a multitude of cross channels which abut and intersect the elongated channel; the channel lying in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container; the channel and cross channels being formed in one of the container portions; and a lock member carried by the other container portion including a cam portion slidable within the elongated channel and engageable with the cross channels.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the container further comprises ridged portions formed on an outside surface of the container and wherein the apparatus further includes means for attaching the container to a support unit comprising in combination: an attachment strap, an anchor member having a complementary bottom surface corresponding to the ridged portion of the container and means for attaching the strap to the anchor member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the second container portion further includes rails formed on the outside top and bottom surfaces and the first and third container portions further include slides Formed on the inside top and bottom surfaces and adapted to slide along and be captured along the rails when the first and third portions are telescoped on the second portion.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first means comprises a protrusion formed on and integral with one of the closed ends for receiving the end of the first snow ski and wherein the second means comprises a protrusion formed on an integral with one of the closed ends for receiving the end fo the second snow ski such that the ends of the skis are captured within and retained within the protrusions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first means and the second means are located on the same closed end.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the fourth and the fifth means are located on the same closed end.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first, second, fourth, and fifth means are formed on both the first and second closed ends.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the fourth means comprises an inclined cam surface integral with one of the closed ends of the container on which the tip of the first snow ski rides when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion and wherein the fifth means comprises an inclined cam surface integral with one of the closed ends of the container on which the tip of the second snow ski rides when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the sixth and seventh limiting means together comprise a saddle.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
140 words
The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the saddle comprises a body having a cross section substantially similar but slightly smaller than the first and third portions of the container and having a cross section substantially similar to but at least equal to the second portion of the container such that the saddle is removably captured between one of the closed ends of the container and the second portion of the container when the first and third portions are telescoped with the second portion and with the body including an inverted U-shaped removed portion having a width larger than twice the thickness of the snow ski and having a height larger than the height of the snow ski such that the removed portions can be placed around the first and second snow skis such that the saddle straddles the snow skis.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the saddle further comprises storage compartments located around the U-shaped removed portion and an end cap member for closing the storage compartments allowing storage of miscellaneous ski equipment within the saddle.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the container further comprises ridged portions formed on an outside surface of the container and wherein the apparatus further includes means for attaching the container to a support unit comprising in combination: an attachment strap, an anchor member having a complementary bottom surface corresponding to the ridged portion of the container and means for attaching the strap to the anchor member.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first means comprises a protrusion formed on and integral with one of the closed ends for receiving the end of the first snow ski and wherein the second means comprises a protrusion formed on and integral with one of the closed ends for receiving the end of the second snow ski such that the ends of the skis are captured within and retained within the protrusions.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the fourth means comprises an inclined cam surface integral with one of the closed ends of the container on which the top of the first snow ski rides when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion and wherein the fifth means comprises an inclined cam surface integral with one of the closed ends of the container on which the tip of the second snow ski rides when the second portion is telescoped with the first portion.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container can be used on skis varying in length from 160 centiMeters to 200 centimeters (63 inches to 79 inches.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the container further includes a third container portion; and wherein the second container portion includes a first open end, a second open end, a right half, and a left half; the first container portion includes an open end and the first closed end; the third container portion includes an open end and the second closed end with the first and third container portions being in telescopic relation with the second container portion.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the total length of the first and second container portions is approximately 29.50 inches (75 centimeters) each and wherein the total length of the second container portion is approximately 32.38 inches (82 centimeters).
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the total length that the first and third container portions can telescope on the second container portion is approximately equal to 13 inches (33 centimeters).
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the sixth and seventh limiting means together comprise a saddle.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
141 words
The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the saddle comprises a body having a cross section substantially similar to but slightly smaller than the first and third portions of the container and having a cross section substantially similar to but at least equal to the second portion of the container such that the saddle is removably captured between one of the closed ends fo the container and the second portion of the container when the first and third portions are telescoped with the secnd portion and with the body including an inverted U-shaped removed portion having a width larger than twice the thickness of the snow ski and having a height larger than the height of the snow ski such that the removed portions can be placed around the first and second snow skis such that the saddle straddles the snow skis.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the total length of the saddle is approximately equal to 11 inches (28 centimeters) which is less than the total length that the first and third container portions can telescope on the second container portion.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the total length of the saddle is approximately equal to 11 inches (28 centimeters).
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the apparatus further stores, protects and carries a first ski pole and a second ski pole and wherein the height of the removed portion is larger than the height of the snow skis by an amount at least equal to the diameter of the ski poles.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 60 wherein the height of the removed portion is approximately equal to 4.24 inches (10.8 centimeters) and the width of the removed portion is approximately equal to 1.56 inches (3.96 centimeters).
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the total width of the protrusions forming the first and second means is approximately equal to but slightly larger than twice the thickness of the skis.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the total width of the protrusions forming the first and second means is approximately equal to 1.32 inches (3.4 centimeters).
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further includes: a shoulder strap; and means for removably connecting the shoulder strap to the container for carrying the container.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first and third container portions further include indicating members and wherein the second container portion further includes indicating lips for indicating the size of ski that the container can capture therein when the first and third container portions are telescoped to various positions on the second container portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |