Abstract:
Ski Mule is a unique fabric, soft-sided, foldable sling that functions as a means to carry multiple pairs of snow skis and ski poles, or any other sports equipment, including snowboards, with the aid of shoulder and/or handle straps. Ski Mule&#39;s easy-to-load system has been designed as a ‘Grab&#39;n go’ Sling for the purpose of being able to horizontally transport a single pair of skis, or multiple pairs of skis, or a snowboard, or snowboards, or sports equipment by a single individual. Snow skis and/or other sports equipment may be placed in the center of the Ski Mule and lifted by straps for hands-free transport. The design allows for the sling to be folded and secured with closures. The design may also allow for backpack-style carrying.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Many challenges exist with the easy and safe transport of skiing equipment. The present disclosure provides improvements in the area of transporting athletic equipment, particularly ski equipment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    For the purpose of this disclosure, “Ski Carrier”, “Ski Mule™ carrier”, “Ski Mule™ Sling”, “carrier”, “mule” and “sling” are used interchangeably. Ski Mule™ is a trademark and refers to the unique Ski and Sports Equipment Carrier being discussed in this disclosure. 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the disclosure provide an easy technique to quickly transport skis or other sports equipment from a vehicle to a destination. The Ski Mule™ carrier allows multiple pairs of skis or other sports equipment to be supported and carried in a horizontal position by the use of handles and/or shoulder straps. Once equipment is unloaded from The Ski Mule™ carrier, the carrier may be folded and stored, or carried on a person&#39;s back using existing or added strapping. 
         [0004]    Embodiments of the Ski Mule™ carrier can be a shoulder, or hand-held, multiple ski and sports equipment carrier that solves a common problem among sports enthusiasts: that of transporting multiple sports items horizontally in a hands-free or hand-carry fashion. The Ski Mule™ carrier allows one individual to transport skis or other sports equipment from one location to another with the aid of an easy-to-load sling as described herein. It may be manufactured in various colors, and in a variety of sizes to accommodate adults and children. It may be manufactured and trademarked under the name of Ski Mule™ and marketed as a Multi-Ski Carrier, Ski Carrier, Sports Equipment Carrier, Ski Sling or ‘Grab&#39;n Go Ski Sling’, among others. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  presents a side view of a carrier made in accordance with the disclosure in a closed condition. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  presents a plan view of a carrier made in accordance with the disclosure in an opened condition ready to receive equipment to be transported. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  presents an embodiment of a carrier made in accordance with the disclosure in a further orientation. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  presents an embodiment of a carrier made in accordance with the disclosure in yet a further orientation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Herein, ‘equipment’ refers to, but is not limited to the following: a single pair of skis with or without ski poles, multiple pairs of skis with or without ski poles, a snowboard, multiple snowboards, any other sports equipment, any equipment that needs to be transported using a carrier as described herein or similar. The Ski Mule™ carrier is a means to transport such equipment by one individual. 
         [0010]    The Ski Mule™ carrier is unique in that the transported equipment can be carried in a horizontal fashion, and the equipment is carried in a sling-like device (see  FIG. 1 ). The equipment is easily loaded into the Ski Mule™ carrier and may be carried with the aid of a shoulder or handle strap(s). 
         [0011]    The Ski Mule™ carrier may be used to carry equipment, such as snow skis, from a vehicle to a ski lodge or any building or location. The Ski Mule™ carrier may be used to carry equipment from any location to a vehicle. The Ski Mule™ carrier may be used to transport equipment from one location to another. 
         [0012]    To use the Ski Mule,™ carrier, a user opens the carrier and lays it flat. Equipment is placed on a supporting panel inside the Ski Mule™ carrier (see white center panel indicated in  FIG. 2 ). The interior strap or straps are wrapped around the equipment to secure it in place. Wrapping straps may be any material and any length ( FIG. 2 ). Then the Ski Mule™ carrier is lifted using the straps or handles. Shoulder straps may rest on a person&#39;s shoulder for hands-free transport. Handles may allow for transport by hand-gripping. The supporting interior panel may, or may not, be included in the construction of the Ski Mule™ carrier. 
         [0013]    The Ski Mule™ carrier may be made from, e.g., a heavy-duty fabric material, or fabric-like material, such as Cordura® or duck material. The material may be resistant to water, tearing or mold. Another embodiment can include material that is not resistant to water, tearing or mold, such as canvas. The fabric material may be cut in a regular or irregular shape with opposite sides being equal or unequal (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 .) The overall width of the Ski Carrier from side to side, is greater than 4 inches and less than 96 inches. The overall, unfolded length of the Ski Carrier from top to bottom is greater than 4 inches and less than 96 inches. 
         [0014]    The Ski Mule™ carrier may have internal straps to hold the equipment in place. (see  FIG. 2 ). There may be none or more interior straps that are of a material such as, but not limited to, Velcro®, polyester or nylon material. The straps have a means to hold themselves together after they have been wrapped around the equipment. The means to hold the straps together can be any strap-holding industry device such as, but not limited to, Velcro® material or buckles. The width of the interior strap(s) may be between 0.00001 inches and 10 inches. The length of the interior strap(s) may be between 0.00001 and 96 inches. (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0015]    The Ski Mule™ carrier may have carry strap(s) or handle(s) for transport. These straps are referenced as shoulder and hand straps in  FIG. 1 . The shoulder straps are for carrying the carrier on an individual&#39;s shoulder. The carry straps can be of a material such as, but not limited to, nylon, polyester, rope or leather. The width of the strap(s) can be between 0.00001 inches and 16 inches. The length of the shoulder straps can be between 0.00001 inches and 240 inches. The width of the handle straps can be between 0.00001 inches and 10 inches. The length of the handle straps can be between 0.00001 inches and 240 inches. The shoulder and/or handle straps may have a system of uniting the straps to prevent slippage on the shoulder. This unification system may be Velcro® material, a Velcro® closure, handle wraps or the like. (see  FIG. 2 ). The shoulder strap(s) and/or handle strap(s) may have a padded portion for cushioning against a person&#39;s body while transporting the Ski Mule™ carrier. Certain materials may be added to the shoulder straps for friction against the body in order to prevent slippage. 
         [0016]    The Ski Mule™ carrier may, or may not, have an internal or external reinforcement and/or support panel (see  FIG. 2 ). The reinforcement panel may be used to provide additional support for the equipment being carried. The supporting panel may be constructed of foam, Volara® material, or other suitable material that may or may not be enclosed inside a sheath or sleeve. 
         [0017]    Those skilled in the art of sewing may, or may not, choose to construct the Ski Mule™ carrier in a different manner other than as described below: 
         [0018]    The Ski Mule™ carrier is constructed with fabric that is cut to a desired shape (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ). The entire outside edge of the fabric may or may not be finished with binding tape or hemmed edge. It may also be left unfinished. If reinforcement or a supporting panel is used, then a sleeve or other means may be cut to fit the interior of the carrier. The reinforcement or supporting panel may or may not be inserted into a sleeve or sheath attached by any other means and stitched according to the recommendations of those skilled in the art of sewing. Interior straps may be attached by sewing, gluing or other industry manufacturing method. Carry straps may, or may not wrap around the entire carrier to form the shoulder straps (see  FIG. 1 ). The carry straps may be 0.00001 inches to 240 inches in overall length, and any width between 0.00001 inches to 12 inches wide. (see  FIG. 1 ). The carry straps may be attached anywhere on the carrier. The carry straps may be attached to the exterior of the carrier, but may also be attached to the interior of the carrier. The carry straps may or may not continue along each side of the exterior or interior of the carrier in either a continuous or non-continuous fashion. Reinforcement stitching such as “X” boxes, or line stitching may or may not be added anywhere on the Ski Mule™ carrier for additional stitching support. (see  FIG. 1 ). The carry straps may be attached by sewing, gluing or by any other industry manufacturing means. The angles of the carry straps system have been calculated and placed in such a manner so as to wrap-around and support. The angles of the straps may be at 85 degrees or between 100 degrees and 0 degrees (see  FIG. 1 ) or may be placed at any other angle(s). Zero, one or more pleats may be added to the top of each side to eliminate bunching (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the exterior sides of the Ski Mule™ carrier may not be sewn, sealed, or closed together, but may be left open, whereas equipment may extend beyond the width of the Ski Mule™ carrier. In another embodiment, the sides of the Ski Mule™ carrier may be sewn, sealed or closed, which would keep the equipment enclosed. Additionally, the top carrying end of the carrier may or may not be secured with closure(s). If the top and sides are secured with closures, the closures may run the entire length of the top and sides, or the closure may close partial parts of the top and sides, such as enclosing one or both ends so as to protect the contents. The exterior of the Ski Mule™ carrier may also include one or more pouches or pockets of any configuration for the purpose of carrying sundry or other items. Additionally, a logo, or logos may be added anywhere to the exterior or interior for branding, (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0020]    The Ski Mule™ carrier is pliable and may be folded in a number of ways so as to allow transport on a person&#39;s back or for storage in another duffle bag, on a shelf or similar. (see  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ). It may also be inverted and folded to expose the logo on the exterior of the mule. The exterior or interior of the Ski Mule™ carrier may also include one or more straps that will fasten and secure the Ski Mule™ carrier in the closed position once it is folded. (see  FIG. 4 ). One way of folding the Ski Mule™ carrier is shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . When folded in the stow-away or back-carry position, the shape may be quadrilateral, triangular, rectangular or any other multi-sided shape, (see  FIG. 4 ). Additionally, the Ski Mule™ carrier may be folded into any shape and carried on a person&#39;s back with the aid of existing or added straps and/or closures. There may, or may not be, a strap or device to secure and/or to hold the Ski Mule™ carrier closed when in a folded position. (see  FIG. 4 ).