Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for transporting skiing equipment, mainly snowboards or skis, consisting essentially of a tie made of a strong material, which forms the central structure to which are attached, preferably sewn, three ties that are perpendicular to the central structure, one of the ends of the upper and lower ties being provided with an additional sub-tie, forming a flexible and folded assembly.

Description:
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention herein relates to a device for transporting ski equipment, primarily skis and poles for skiing (Alpine, Nordic and cross-country) or boards for snowboarding. 
         [0002]    The device of the invention is flexible, making it easy to transport the equipment, as well as making it possible to transport additional accessories (gloves, helmet, protectors, etc.), balance the weight of the equipment symmetrically on the body, avoiding aches, pains or injury, thereby improving personal safety and the safety of others, as all material is secured and visible. 
         [0003]    The main object of the invention is to transport ski equipment by loading it on one&#39;s back, as close as possible to the body for complete symmetrical balance on a vertical longitudinal axis, while allowing the hands to be free, carrying the weight with less effort and avoiding injuries, fatigue and accidents in respect of the user, third parties or the surroundings. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The most common form of transporting equipment when skiing is to carry it by hand. This is usually done at the beginning of the day, carrying it from the property or from where the car is parked, until reaching the ski lift. Similarly, at the end of the day, it is common practice to bring the skis from the slope or from the ski lift back to one&#39;s accommodation or the car park. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, it must be borne in mind that often before or after skiing, other activities, such as buying ski passes, requesting information at the resort, dropping off the children to a crèche or picking them up, doing some shopping, eating or drinking a refreshment, etc. require the user to transport the skis in their hands. All these activities, when the user is required to transport the equipment, are an inconvenience and pose a significant risk to one&#39;s health, to third parties and to the surroundings in respect of becoming fatigued or getting injuries, cuts, bruises, etc. 
         [0006]    To reduce the discomfort and the effort required to transport this ski equipment, some users join the skis by facing the bases together, hook the poles on by inserting the tips of the skis through the hand straps and load them onto one&#39;s shoulder, holding them with one hand. This leaves the other hand free, but the user is required to carry all the weight on one shoulder and this could lead to possible injury. 
         [0007]    Another method of transport that is used on occasion consists on placing the skis facing their bases together and placing the poles in parallel, with a handle on each side (one directed toward the tip of the skis and the other towards the tails) and by placing each hand strap around their corresponding part of the ski (tip or tail). In this way, the poles can be used as an improvised handle, making it easier to transport the skis. 
         [0008]    Recently a new device commercially known as Transki has been marketed, which consists of a rigid handle with straps that surround the skis and poles and make it possible to transport the skis and poles using only one hand. 
         [0009]    Having the weight of the equipment balanced on the body is not achieved in any of the above cases. 
         [0010]    In the current state of the art, a carrier system for transporting skis on one&#39;s back by using a system of bands that form a bag for the base of the skis and hold them at different points is known under patent US2007/0051761. 
         [0011]    Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,732 describes a system that enables skis to be secured and carried on one&#39;s back, yet it does not provide a balance on the vertical axis and on the back because the skis are held at an angle on said axis. On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,155 and US2009/0206118 make it possible for skis to be transported evenly on the vertical axis. Similar solutions are further provided in patents US 2005/0067450 and DE 10360357. 
         [0012]    However, none of the above documents refers to transporting snowboards. Furthermore, the aforementioned inventions cannot be folded up and kept in a pocket when it is not necessary to transport the skis. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The device for transporting ski equipment object of the present registration solves the abovementioned disadvantages, further providing other additional advantages that will become apparent from the description detailed hereinafter. 
         [0014]    The device is a flexible model and consists of a number of straps made from a durable material such as very flexible nylon such that it can be folded, having portions of Velcro® at its ends, preferably sewn or glued. 
         [0015]    Specifically, the device comprises a central strap that serves as the structure on which an additional three straps are sewn, transversely and perpendicular to the first, which would secure the skis, the upper and lower straps both having strips at each of their ends for securing the poles. Finally, two other straps join the upper and lower cross-straps in parallel and the central strap, the two straps being longer than the latter strap and serving as handles. 
         [0016]    This same design can be used to transport snowboards or any other type of board (including surf boards) by adapting the measurements slightly. 
         [0017]    The invention described in a basic manner in the preceding paragraphs for transporting skis/boards of any type, may be complemented to add various materials. Therefore, in the model for skis, two additional straps that are used to place and secure the poles can be added on the upper and lower cross-straps. 
         [0018]    Similarly, more straps can be added on the handles for holding and securing other ski accessories, such as gloves, goggles or a helmet, such that they are located at the height of the chest once the device is placed on the user&#39;s back, with the handles passing over the shoulders. 
         [0019]    All cross-straps have a Velcro® strip on the ends, such that they can be closed around the material to be transported, adapting to the dimensions thereof. 
         [0020]    To use the invention with skis, the central strap is placed parallel to the skis, these being joined by their bases and facing each other. Then, they are surrounded with the three cross-straps, the lower strap being below the ski fastenings such that they are secured, the central cross-strap being below the upper protrusion of the fastenings and the upper strap being above the fastenings on the part corresponding to the front side of the ski beneath the tip. 
         [0021]    Similarly, the central strap is placed along the base of the board in a longitudinal direction in order to transport a snowboard. Then, the three cross-straps surrounding the board are closed, leaving the lower strap under the lower fastening of the board, the central cross-strap under the upper fastening and the upper strap above the upper fastening. 
         [0022]    A particular feature of the device formed in this manner is that it can be folded up small, and can be stored in any pocket when skiing. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    As a complement of the description being made hereinbelow and for a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to an example of a practical preferred embodiment thereof, attached as an integral part of the aforementioned description is a set of drawings where, for purposes of illustration and in a non-limiting manner, the following is shown: 
           [0024]    FIG.  1 .—Shows a perspective view of the device for transporting ski equipment, which is the object of the invention. 
           [0025]    FIG.  2 .—Shows how to secure skis and ski poles with the device. 
           [0026]    FIG.  3 .—Shows a detailed view of the straps for securing the skis and poles of the device. 
       
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Considering the mentioned figures and in accordance with the numbering adopted, a preferred although non-limiting embodiment of the invention can be seen therein. 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 1 , the flexible device shown is comprised of a number of durable straps sewn together. One of the straps forms the central structure ( 1 ) on which another three straps ( 2 ), preferably sewn, are attached perpendicularly to the central structure for securing the skis, one of the ends of the upper and lower straps being provided with an additional sub-strap ( 5 ) for securing poles, the straps and sub-straps being equipped with Velcro® on the ends ( 3 ), making it possible to carry all types of skis/boards. Two additional straps ( 4 ), parallel to the central structure, serve as handles to be strapped over each shoulder, thereby loading the skis/snowboard on the individual&#39;s back. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows the device in use, securing the skis by means of three straps ( 2 ) that surround them and are adjusted by means of Velcro®. These straps are joined by the central structure ( 1 ) that rests on the vertebral column when bearing weight. The equipment can be loaded on one&#39;s back using the straps that act as handles ( 4 ). 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a detailed view of the straps for securing the skis/boards ( 2 ) in open and closed positions, on which sub-straps ( 5 ) with Velcro® are arranged to hold the poles parallel to the skis/boards. Similarly, more straps fitted with Velcro® can be added, for example on the handles ( 4 ) to hold or hang other accessories such as gloves or a helmet. 
         [0031]    The details, shapes and dimensions and other accessory elements as well as the materials used in the manufacture of the improved system for transporting the ski equipment of the invention may be conveniently replaced by others which are technically equivalent and do not depart from the essential nature of the invention or from the scope defined by the claims provided hereinafter.