Abstract:
A snow ski, snow board and accessory storage device includes a backing plate; a hinge assembly carried by the backing plate, the hinge assembly including at least one hinge rotatable with respect to the backing plate; at least one backing arm carried by the at least one hinge of the hinge assembly, the at least one backing arm having an outer arm segment and an inner arm segment spaced-apart and parallel to the outer arm segment; the at least one backing arm adapted to receive a snow ski or snowboard between the outer arm segment and the inner arm segment; and a spreader and hanging bar carried by the backing plate, the at least one backing arm normally resting by gravity against the spreader and hanging bar and capable of being raised from the spreader and hanging bar as the at least one hinge rotates relative to the backing plate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/606,508, filed Mar. 5, 2012 and entitled SNOW SKI, SNOWBOARD, AND ACCESSORY STORAGE DEVICE, which provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to devices for storing snow skis, snowboards, ski and snowboard accessories and the like. More particularly, illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to a snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device which facilitates storage of snow skis, snowboards and ski and snowboard accessories without altering the camber or shape of the skis or snowboard, in addition to facilitating the storage of an individual snow ski, or snowboard. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional devices for storing snow skis, snowboards and ski and snowboard accessories typically utilize the traditional shape and camber of the snow skis and snowboards to hold the snow skis and snowboards in the device. Conventional storage devices typically require that the snow skis and/or snowboards be compressed together and stored as a pair. Unlike snow skis, which are typically used in tandem, a snowboard is individually used, and as such, cannot be stored in conventional storage devices which require the compression of two objects in order to retain them. In addition, the compression of the snow skis or snowboards alters their natural shape and camber and may permanently alter the shape and camber of snow skis and snowboards in a detrimental way. Moreover, recent advances in snow ski and snowboard fabrication technology have drastically and fundamentally changed the shape and camber of snow skis and snowboards. Due to the non-traditional shape of the newer snow skis and snowboards, the change in camber imparted by the conventional storage devices on the newer snow skis and snowboards may occur at a higher magnitude than on the older, traditionally shaped skis and snowboards. 
     Accordingly, a snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device which facilitates the individual storage of snow skis, snowboards and ski and snowboard accessories without altering the camber or shape of the skis or snowboards may be desirable for some applications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosure is generally directed to a snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device which facilitates storage of snow skis, snowboards and ski and snowboard accessories without altering the camber or shape of the skis or snowboard. An illustrative embodiment of the device includes a backing plate; a hinge assembly carried by the backing plate, the hinge assembly including at least one hinge rotatable with respect to the backing plate; at least one backing arm carried by the at least one hinge of the hinge assembly, the at least one backing arm having an outer arm segment and an inner arm segment spaced-apart and parallel to the outer arm segment; the at least one backing arm adapted to receive a snow ski or snowboard between the outer arm segment and the inner arm segment; and a spreader and hanging bar carried by the backing plate, the at least one backing arm normally resting by gravity against the spreader and hanging bar and capable of being raised from the spreader and hanging bar as the at least one hinge rotates relative to the backing plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of an illustrative snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device; 
         FIG. 3  is a right side view of an illustrative snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of an illustrative snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device, more particularly deployed in a resting position; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of an illustrative snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device, more particularly illustrating placement of a first snow ski (illustrated in phantom) in a support position on a second backing arm of the device; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of an illustrative snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device, with the second backing arm deployed in a engaged position and more particularly illustrating placement of a second snow ski (illustrated in phantom) in a support position on a first backing arm of the device; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of an illustrative snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device, with the snow skis supported by the backing arms, respectively, of the device, and the backing arms deployed in a engaged position; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of an illustrative snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device, with the snow skis supported by the backing arms, respectively, of the device, and the backing arms deployed in a engaged position; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an illustrative snow ski, snowboard, and accessory storage device, with the snow skis supported by the backing arms, respectively, of the device, and the backing arms deployed in a engaged position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Moreover, the illustrative embodiments described herein are not exhaustive and embodiments or implementations other than those which are described herein and which fall within the scope of the appended claims are possible. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device, hereinafter device, is generally indicated by reference numeral  10 . The device  10  may include a backing plate  12  which facilitates attachment of the device  10  to a vertical support surface (not illustrated) using mechanical fasteners (not illustrated) and/or other suitable attachment technique. In some embodiments, fastener openings  14 ,  14   a  may extend through the backing plate  12 . The fastener openings  14 ,  14   a  are sized and configured to receive a mechanical fasteners (not illustrated) which facilitates attachment of the backing plate  12  to the vertical support surface. The fastener openings  14 ,  14   a  may be countersunk  16 ,  16   a . The backing plate  12  may be metal, plastic, composite or other suitable material. 
     A hinge assembly  28  is provided on the backing plate  12 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hinge assembly  28  may include an elongated hinge shaft  49  which extends from the backing plate  12 . An inner washer  18  may be provided on the hinge shaft  49  and may abut against the surface of the backing plate  12 . At least one hinge  20 ,  22  is rotatably mounted relative to the backing plate  12 . In some embodiments, a cylindrical inner hinge  20  has an inner hinge bore (not illustrated) which receives the hinge shaft  49  to rotatably mount the inner hinge  20  on the hinge shaft  49 . The inner hinge  20  may abut against the inner washer  18 . A middle washer  24  may be provided on the hinge shaft  49  adjacent to the inner hinge  20 . An outer hinge  22  has an outer hinge bore (not illustrated) which receives the hinge shaft  49  to rotatably mount the outer hinge  22  on the hinge shaft  49 . The outer hinge  22  may abut against the middle washer  24 . An outer washer  26  may receive the hinge shaft  49  and may abut against the outer hinge  22 . A hinge cap  27  may be attached to the extending or distal end of the hinge shaft  49 . The hinge cap  27  may be welded, threaded, cast or otherwise attached to the hinge shaft  49  according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The hinge cap  27  may abut against the outer washer  26 . Accordingly, the inner hinge  20  and the outer hinge  22  are independently rotatable with respect to the backing plate  12 . 
     A spreader and hanging bar  30  extends from the backing plate  12  generally beneath the hinge assembly  28 . The spreader and hanging bar  30  may include a pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apart main bar segments  30   a  which extend from the backing plate  12 . The main bar segments  30   a  may be welded, threaded, cast or otherwise attached to the backing plate  12  according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a terminal bar segment  30   b  may angle upwardly from the distal end of each main bar segment  30   a . A transverse bar segment  30   c  may connect the terminal bar segments  30   b . In application of the device  10 , which will be hereinafter described, the spreader and hanging bar  30  may function as a location from which accessories such as snow ski poles, gloves, snow goggles, and similar objects can be suspended for storage. 
     A first backing arm  40  is supported by the outer hinge  22  of the hinge assembly  28 . The first backing arm  40  may include a generally elongated first main arm segment  40   a  which extends outwardly from the outer hinge  22 . A first outer arm segment  34  may extend forwardly from the first main arm segment  40   a , in generally perpendicular relationship to a longitudinal axis of the first main arm segment  40   a  and in generally parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of the hinge assembly  28 . An elongated first inner arm segment  32  may extend from the first main arm segment  40   a  in generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship to the first outer arm segment  34 . Because the outer hinge  22  rotates relative to the hinge shaft  49  ( FIG. 2 ) of the hinge assembly  28 , the first backing arm  40  can be selectively lifted to the raised position illustrated in  FIG. 6  or released to rest against the spreader and hanging bar  30  by gravity, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The first inner arm segment  32  may be located in proximity to the first outer arm segment  34  of the first backing arm  40  such that the space between the first inner arm segment  32  and the first outer arm segment  34  is sufficiently wide to accommodate the thickness of a snow ski or snowboard. For example and without limitation, in some embodiments the space between the first inner arm segment  32  and the first outer arm segment  34  may be approximately 0.25 inches to 0.75 inches. The first outer arm segment  34  and the first inner arm segment  32  may extend so that their length provides ample bearing surfaces for the top and bottom surfaces of a snow ski or snowboard (not illustrated), which in some embodiments may be approximately 3˜10 inches. 
     A second backing arm  42  is supported by the inner hinge  20  of the hinge assembly  28 . The second backing arm  42  may have a design which is the same as or similar to the first backing arm  40 . A generally elongated second main arm segment  42   a  may extend outwardly from the inner hinge  20 . A second outer arm segment  38  may extend forwardly from the second main arm segment  42   a , in generally perpendicular relationship to a longitudinal axis of the second main arm segment  42   a  and in generally parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of the hinge assembly  28 . An elongated second inner arm segment  36  may extend from the second main arm segment  42   a  in generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship to the second outer arm segment  38 . Because the inner hinge  20  rotates relative to the hinge shaft  49  ( FIG. 2 ) of the hinge assembly  28 , the second backing arm  42  can be selectively lifted to the raised position illustrated in  FIG. 5  or released to rest against the spreader and hanging bar  30  by gravity, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The second inner arm segment  36  may be located in proximity to the second outer arm segment  38  of the second backing arm  42  such that the space between the second inner arm segment  36  and the second outer arm segment  38  is sufficiently wide to accommodate the thickness of a standard or conventional snow ski or snowboard. For example and without limitation, in some embodiments the space between the second inner arm segment  36  and the second outer arm segment  38  may be approximately 0.25 inches to 0.75 inches. The second outer arm segment  38  and the second inner arm segment  36  may extend so that their length provides ample bearing surfaces for the top and bottom surfaces of a snow ski or snowboard (not illustrated), which in some embodiments may be approximately 3˜10 inches. 
     As the first backing arm  40  and the second backing arm  42  pivot via the hinge assembly  28 , the back washer  18 , the middle washer  24  and the outer washer  26  minimize friction and rubbing between the outer hinge  22  and the inner hinge  20  and between the hinge cap  27  and the outer hinge  22 . The first main arm segment  40   a  and the first outer arm segment  34  thereof may be fabricated from a continuous length of rod and attached to the outer hinge  22 . Similarly, the second main arm segment  42   a  and second outer arm segment  38  thereof may be fabricated from a continuous length of rod and attached to the inner hinge  20 . 
     The spreader and hanging bar  30  may be sufficiently wide to separate the first backing arm  40  from the second backing arm  42 . This expedient facilitates easy handling by a user when storing or removing snow skis or snowboards on the first backing arm  40  and/or the second backing arm  42 . In some embodiments, the spreader and hanging bar  30  may extend slightly past or beyond the ends of the first inner arm segment  32  and the first outer arm segment  34  of the first backing arm  40  and beyond the ends of the second inner arm segment  36  and the second outer arm segment  38  of the second backing arm  42  to provide easier access for the hanging of accessories from the spreader and hanging bar  30  and may be a distance of approximately 4-11 inches in some embodiments. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the device  10  having a mechanical fasteners  48 ,  48   a  attaching the device  10  to a wall or other vertical support surface (not illustrated) is shown. The mechanical fasteners  48 ,  48   a  may be extended through the fastener openings  14 ,  14   a  ( FIG. 1 ) in the backing plate  12  and threaded into a registering fastener opening (not illustrated) in the vertical support surface. As further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first backing arm  40  and the second backing arm  42  normally rest on the spreader and hanging bar  30  via gravity. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 5 and 6  of the drawings, in exemplary application of the device  10 , a first snow ski  46  (illustrated in phantom) can initially be placed between the second inner arm segment  36  and the second outer arm segment  38  of the second backing arm  42  with the bottom surface of the first snow ski  46  in contact with the second inner arm segment  36 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The first snow ski  46  is oriented vertically as the lower (rear) end of the first snow ski  46  is inserted between and then contacts the second inner arm segment  36  and the second outer arm segment  38 . The first snow ski  46  can then be raised, causing the second backing arm  38 , via contact of the first snow ski  46  with the second inner arm segment  36  and the second outer arm segment  38 , to pivot up and around the hinge pin  28 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the first snow ski  46  may then be lowered until the second backing arm  42  pivots down and around the hinge pin  28 . At that point, the first snow ski  46  is held in place between the second inner arm segment  36  and the second outer arm segment  38 . The edge of the first snow ski  46  may contact the second main arm segment  42   a  of the second backing arm  42 . The friction between the first snow ski  46  and the second inner arm segment  36 , the second outer arm segment  38  and the second main arm segment  42   a  creates sufficient force between the first snow ski  46  and those respective surfaces of the second backing arm  42  to retain the first snow ski  46  in the device  10 . 
     The first snow ski  46  can be selectively removed from the second backing arm  42  as desired by raising the first snow ski  46  such that the second backing arm  42  pivots upwardly around the hinge assembly  28  and the first snow ski  46  disengages the second inner arm segment  36  and the second outer arm segment  38 . The first snow ski  46  can then be lifted from between the second inner arm segment  36  and the second outer arm segment  38 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 7  of the drawings, a second snow ski  44  can be selectively supported by the first backing arm  40  of the device  10  in a similar manner. The second snow ski  44  can be placed in the first backing arm  40  and selectively removed from the first backing arm  40  in the same manner as was heretofore described with respect to placement of the first snow ski  46  in the second backing arm  42 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 8  of the drawings, the backing plate  12  of the device  10  may be attached to the vertical support surface at a height which is sufficient to enable the first snow ski  44  and second snow ski  46  to hang freely above a floor or other surface  50  when the first snow ski  44  and the second snow ski  46  are secured in the device  10  as was heretofore described with respect to  FIGS. 5-7 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 9  of the drawings, a second snow ski pole  52 , and a first snow ski pole  54  can be suspended from the spreader and hanging bar  30  by inserting the straps of the second and first snow ski poles  52 ,  54  over the spreader and hanging bar  30 . The second and first snow ski poles  52 ,  54  may hang downwardly between the first snow ski  46  and the second snow ski  44 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that storage of accessories such as the second and first snow ski poles  52 ,  54  on the spreader and hanging bar  30  does not interfere with or prohibit storage of snow skis  44 ,  46  or snowboards (not illustrated) in the device  10 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the device  10  may be fabricated of metal or any other sufficiently rigid and strong material such as high strength plastics, composites and the like. Various components of the device  10  can be made of different materials. Portions of the device  10  which contact the surfaces of snow skis or snowboards may be coated and/or encapsulated with a non-abrasive finish, coating, and/or membrane to allow for a smooth and malleable surface between the snow skis or snowboards and the various components of the device  10 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the device  10  facilitates storage of snow skis, snowboards and related accessories without altering the natural shape and camber of the snow skis or snowboard. Due to the particular characteristics of the device  10 , snow skis and snowboards which do not have traditional shape and/or camber can be stored just as quickly and easily as traditionally-shaped snow skis and snowboards. The inherent design of the device  10  does not rely on the compression of snow skis and snowboards into one another to achieve the forces necessary for storage. Rather, the device  10  utilizes the natural properties of the snow skis and/or snowboards to create the forces that support the snow skis and snowboards in the device  10  in a manner that does not affect the shape and/or camber of the stored snow skis and snowboards. Moreover, the design of the device  10  may isolate the stored snow skis and snowboards from one another, allowing for storage of a single snow ski or snowboard. This capability may not be possible using conventional snow ski and snowboard storage devices which rely on compression of the snow skis or snowboards against each other for storage. In addition to storing snow skis and snowboards, the device  10  also allows users to store accessories associated with the activities of skiing and snowboarding such as snow ski poles, snow ski straps, goggles and the like. 
     While the embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.