Abstract:
The Ski and Snowboard Sling-Belt is a device enabling an individual to transport a snowboard or a pair of skis, worn diagonally across their back. This design allows for unimpeded use of the arms and thus facilitates navigation under relevant conditions. The device is worn around the waist, as like a belt, when not in use.

Description:
[0001]    This application is for the invention entitled, The Ski and Snowboard Sling-Belt as invented by SIMS, Andrew Jason, Canadian citizen, resident of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to an article carrier, more specifically, a sling-belt consisting of a main carrying strap with a plurality of secondary straps attached transversely thereto, equally adaptable to attaching and transporting either a snowboard or a pair of skis, such that this load can be worn diagonally across the back, allowing the user unimpeded use of the arms. The sling-belt is designed to be conveniently worn around the waist of the user, as like a belt, when not in use as an article carrier. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of Background Art 
         [0005]    Due to the quantity, and cumbersome nature, of much of the current equipment used in the winter sports of skiing and snowboarding, it is advantageous to use devices to assist in the transportation of this equipment, under various circumstances. As such, a plethora of such devices have been invented. Often times, however, these inventions are either cumbersome in of themselves, or not simple and well suited to this purpose. 
         [0006]    Many devices equally adaptable to the transportation of a snowboard or a pair of skis are known. These devices typically comprise a flexible main strap, which includes a further plurality of attachments, such as: pouches, pockets, clasps, or additional straps, where these are fastened to the snowboard or skis. The main strap is then worn over a shoulder, with the equipment either parallel, or perpendicular to the ground, as described in, U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,707 to Gibson, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,587 to Carpenter. Such devices are not without their limitations, however. Equipment carried using a strap on a shoulder, where the load is parallel to the ground, has a tendency to both pivot on the shoulder, and to slip off of the shoulder potentially causing damage to the equipment or injury. Additionally, when the load consists of skis or a snowboard, which are generally lengthy, relative to the user&#39;s outstretched arm, it is difficult to reach and engage door handles, and pass through such doorways, without the potential of the equipment being scratched or damaged. Carrying equipment in this way, where the load is perpendicular to the ground, is more effective, but still involves risks. The shoulder strap, and equipment, can still slip off of the shoulder easily causing injury or damage. Transporting equipment using a strap worn over a shoulder, in this way, therefore requires the active use of a hand to stabilize the load or possibly support it. 
         [0007]    These risks and potential dangers can be overcome by use of devices equally adaptable to the transportation of a snowboard or a pair of skis that allow for unimpeded use of the hands. Such devices typically make use of a back pack arrangement, U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,051 to Callanan, or similar use of shoulder straps as like a back pack, U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,495 to Sagan or the use of a sling, U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,361 to Johnson and U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,346 to Sharma. These too, are not without their limitations. A potential hazard stemming from devices that have a vertically mounted load, U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,361 to Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,346 to Sharma, arises if the individual slips and falls such that they land on their buttocks. This scenario being not all together uncommon on or near ski slopes. In this case the snowboard or skis, due to their length, hit the ground first, this can result in serious injury if the snowboard or skis strike the individual in the head. Additionally, there exists the possibly that the equipment can break, potentially causing other serious injuries. The use of a device such a back pack, or similar arrangement, U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,051 to Callanan, U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,495 to Sagan can pose far less risk, but can be somewhat cumbersome, and requires that the user have a place to store such a device, when not in use, or be prepared to wear such a device the entire time that they are engaged in the relevant activity. This may be acceptable to some practitioners, however, wearing such devices can limit mobility. Furthermore, prolonged usage of these devices, can lead to increased heat build up and to discomfort. 
         [0008]    Consequently, a need still exists for a simple carrier device, which will overcome the limitations of the prior art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The disadvantages common in the use of any of the aforementioned devices can be overcome by resort to the adequately adapted Ski and Snowboard Sling-Belt. This approach to the task of transporting such equipment limits the risk of damage and injury as the equipment is positioned diagonally across the back of the user. In this way, the weight of the load is centrally positioned on the body, greatly reducing the risk that the strap would slip off the shoulder. Also, this approach does not require the active use of shoulder muscle, to maintain the strap elevated and prevent it from easily slipping off of the shoulder, thus reducing fatigue. As well, should the user fall backward the diagonal inclination of the load results in the load rotating about the sling rather than pivoting on the carrying device and striking the user, thus reducing the risk of serious injury. Furthermore, the user may, for example: outstretch their arms for improved balance, grasp handrails where available, grasp and engage door handles and pass through doorways easily. The user can further make use of poles while transporting the equipment, when appropriate. When not in use as a sling the Ski and Snowboard Sling-Belt is conveniently worn around the waist of the user as like a belt. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an front elevation view of the device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a d-ring. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of a slide. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The device illustrated consists of a main strap, which is comprised of two identical segments of webbing,  1  and  2 , attached to two identical, ergonomically shaped, segments of padding,  3  and  4 , and these are connected proximally, by a longitudinally adjustable looped segment. This segment consists of two separate segments of webbing, segments  5  and  6 , where segment  5  is fixedly attached at one extremity to segment of padding  4 , and passes through the plurality of openings in a nylon slide  7 . Segment  6  is a looped segment, which passes through the proximal opening, of one of the plurality of openings, of a nylon slide  8 , before looping back on itself, where it is fixedly attached at its two extremities to segment of padding  3 . Segment  5  is looped through the relative, proximal opening in the nylon slide  8 , attached to segment  6 , and is then looped back on itself where it again passes through the plurality of openings, of the nylon slide  7  attached thereto. Buckle mechanisms  9  and  10  are attached to webbing segments  1  and  2 , and when buckled together, the strap is worn across the torso, with ergonomically shaped segments of padding  4  and  3  wrapping around the hip and over the shoulder, of the user, respectively. The strap is designed to be adjusted longitudinally, primarily, by pulling on the d-rings  19  and  20  attached to the ends of the webbing protruding from the buckling mechanisms  9  and  10 , attached to webbing segments  1  and  2 , when these have been buckled together, but can be further longitudinally, adjusted by way of the webbing segment  5 . 
         [0017]    The snowboard or skis are affixed to the strap by way of two additional segments of webbing  11  and  12 , each having respective buckling mechanisms  13  and  14 , and  15  and  16 , webbing segments  11  and  12  are attached transversely, to the proximal ends of segments of padding  3  and  4 . The segments  11  and  12  are drawn around the snowboard or skis and buckled, using their relative buckling mechanisms  13  and  14 , and  15  and  16 . They are tightened, to the equipment, by pulling on the d-rings  21  and  22 , and  23 , and  24  attached to the ends of the webbing protruding from the buckling mechanisms  13  and  14 , and  15  and  16 , attached to webbing segments  11  and  12 , respectively. 
         [0018]    Either webbing segment  11  or  12 , or both are intended to be draw around the equipment and fastened, using their relative buckling mechanisms, in such a way that the equipment is properly supported, such that it is prevented from moving lengthwise, downward, along the strap, when this is worn diagonally across the torso, to a degree that such movement would render the device ineffective. This can be done in several ways. When attaching a snowboard, each of the webbing segments  11  and  12 , are intended to pass through the respective, proximal binding, of the pair of bindings attached to the snowboard, and are buckled using their respective buckling mechanisms, and tightened. In the case where only one of the respective segments of webbing,  11  or  12 , can effectively pass through the relative, proximal binding of the snowboard, due to the configuration of the attached bindings, the second segment of webbing is simply drawn around the snowboard, buckled using the relative buckling mechanisms, and tightened. In this way, the snowboard is both firmly attached to the strap, and supported, to prevent lengthwise movement, downward along the strap to a degree that such movement would render the device ineffective. When attaching a pair of skis, where possible, the webbing segments  11  and  12 , pass, below the heel, and toe sections, of the bindings on the pair of skis, respectively, and are buckled using their respective buckling mechanisms, and tightened. In the case where only one of the segments  11  or  12 , can effectively pass below either the heel, or toe section, of the bindings, of the pair of skis, due to the distance between the heel and toe sections of the attached bindings, the second segment of webbing is simply drawn around the pair of skis, buckled using the relative buckling mechanisms, and tightened. In this way, the pair of skis are both firmly attached to the strap, and supported, to prevent lengthwise movement, downward along the strap to a degree that such movement would render the device ineffective. 
         [0019]    A further segment of webbing  17 , with attached buckling mechanism  18 , is attached, transversely, to webbing segment  5 . When the strap is being used to transport a snowboard or a pair of skis, webbing segment  17 , wraps around the user&#39;s torso, and buckles to buckling mechanism  25 , attached to webbing segment  2 . Webbing segment  17  can then be drawn tight, to improve the stability of the strap. Furthermore, webbing segment  17 , when in use, improves the overall comfort of the device as it reduces possible tension on the neck of the user resulting from the weight of the load. 
         [0020]    When the Ski and Snowboard Sling-Belt is not in use, transporting a snowboard or a pair of skis, it is designed to be conveniently worn around the waist as like a belt. In this configuration, the webbing segments  1  and  2  are buckled together using buckling mechanisms  9  and  10  and drawn tight by pulling on the d-rings  19  and  20  attached to the ends of the webbing protruding from buckling mechanisms  9  and  10 , and the ergonomically shaped padded segments  3  and  4  rest either on, or above, the hips. Additionally, webbing segments  11  and  12  are also intended to be buckled using buckling mechanisms  13  and  14 , and  15  and  16  respectively, and drawn tight, so as not to hang loosely where they might be a distraction the user or potentially become caught on something, where this could lead to damage or injury. As well webbing segment  17  is intended to be passed through looped webbing segment  26  on segment of padding  4 , be buckled to buckling mechanism  25  and drawn tight, again, so as not to hang loosely where it might be a distraction the user or potentially become caught on something, where this could lead to damage or injury.