Patent Publication Number: US-2007114255-A1

Title: Adjustable belt for carrying sporting equipment

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/098,537 filed on Apr. 5, 2005 in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference and to which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 120. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed to an adjustable belt system for carrying sporting equipment, such as skis, poles, a snowboard, and accessories, and a method of using the same.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The equipment needed for many recreational sports activities can be large, heavy and awkwardly shaped. Such equipment can be cumbersome for an individual to carry. For example, a skier must carry skis, poles and accessories (such as goggles, gloves, a helmet, etc.) over slippery and irregular terrain before or after using the equipment. Transporting skiing equipment to and from a vehicle, across a parking lot, and/up and down stairs can often be difficult or even treacherous. Equipment used for other sports activities, such as snow boarding, hockey, camping, etc., likewise require bulky equipment that is difficult for an individual to transport.  
      Various equipment carriers have been developed. Some designs include a carrier sling or waist belt having straps forming loops attached to the belt. The ends of the straps may include a D-ring for opening and closing the loop. In one such design, one loop is affixed to the belt, and a second loop is attached to the belt via a lockable sliding device. Therefore, the position of the second loop relative to the belt may be adjusted. However, such designs fail to provide for adjustment of the loop itself. When the straps are clipped together, the diameter of the resulting loop is not adjustable. The resulting loop may therefore have too much slack to properly secure some equipment, or the loop may not be big enough to fit around the equipment. Even if the straps forming the loop are clipped around a component of the equipment, the loop may not be tightened against the equipment being carried. As a result, the equipment tends to swing or twist in the loop, which may be awkward and uncomfortable for the user. In addition, if the equipment does not include a component around which the loops may be attached, it may be difficult to properly secure the equipment. The equipment may become unsecured, resulting in damage to the equipment or injury to the user. For example, if such a carrier were used to carry skis, the user could slip the loops around opposite ends of the skis. However, the skis could easily slide out of the loops when carried in an upright position. If the loops were laced through the ski bindings, the ends of the skis would swing about freely. Thus, such designs have not provided an acceptable or useful carrier for some sports equipment.  
      Other designs include straps which form loops, with sliding bar buckles for adjusting the loops. A belt is provided having male buckle members on opposite ends thereof. The free ends of the loops include female buckle members which releasably attach to the male buckle members. While such designs provide some loop adjustability via the bar buckles, they have not proven effective for heavier equipment, such as skis. The bar buckles tend to loosen as the weight of equipment shifts when being carried by the user. In addition, the male-female buckle members securing the loops to the belt are prone to twisting or tangling as the equipment is being secured or adjusted because the loops clip onto the belt in fixed orientation. Such twisting or tangling may render the load uncomfortable to carry, or require adjustment by the user. Alternatively, the user may attempt to carefully align the free ends of the loops with each other and with the equipment. However, this is time consuming and often difficult with awkwardly shaped equipment. Thus, such carriers do not offer an acceptable design for carrying bulky equipment.  
      Other designs provide for a belt with D-rings secured to opposite ends thereof. The ends are folded back so that portions of each end may be fed through the D-rings to form loops. The loops may be slipped around the equipment being carried. As the central portion of the belt is lifted, the portions proximate the ends slide through the D-rings, thereby tightening the loops. Other deigns include mating clips slidably attached to fixed loops on opposite ends of a belt. The loop is folded into itself, and the clips are secured together to form a double loop, with an inner loop that tightens as the belt is lifted. The slack from the inner loop slides through the clips, thereby tightening the inner loop into the clips. Thus, such designs tighten with the operation of gravity. Unfortunately, such designs also loosen by the same principle. For example, the looped ends of such designs may be slipped around opposite ends of a pair of skis. As the user lifts the belt and skis, the loops tighten around the skis. However, if the belt is slung over the shoulder of the user so that the skis are in a vertical position relative to the ground, the skis may easily slide out of the loops, or slide toward the ground. If the skis bump the ground or some other object, the loops may inadvertently loosen, causing the skis to become unsecured. Or, the user may need to readjust the loops. Readjustment may also be required if the user sets the secured equipment down. Even if the equipment is securely maintained within the loops, the belt is often prone to twisting, particularly as the belt is being lifted and carried, or removed from the user.  
      Some designs provide for first and second straps having ends with relatively light weight mating buckles which form loops. A third strap may be provided with opposite ends having clasps which clip onto  0 -rings or the like in a fixed orientation. While such designs are useful for carrying relatively light-weight equipment, such as body boards, wake boards, or folding chairs, they are not adequate for securing relatively heavy equipment such as skis. The light-weight buckles often fail to properly secure heavy equipment such as skis. Such equipment tends to slide within the loops of such designs, which ultimately may require readjustment by the user. In addition, such designs typically provide loop portions having a relatively narrow width, which tend to tangle around awkwardly shaped equipment. Relatively long equipment, such as skis or hockey sticks, may slide against such relatively narrow loops. Furthermore, the carrier strap (i.e. third strap) connecting the two loops may tangle and twist given such designs provide for a fixed orientation attachment of the loops to the carrier strap, particularly when the user is putting on or removing the strap, or when the equipment is being secured or adjusted. Accordingly, such designs are inappropriate for use with some sports equipment.  
      Other designs include a carrying strap with opposite ends that split to form first and second arms. For example, some designs provide a strap having an I-shaped configuration. The ends of the arms on each side include Velcro™ loop and hook fastener patches which cooperate to form a loop. Such fasteners are often inadequate for securing relatively heavy and/or bulky equipment. Furthermore, the carrying strap often tangles and twists during use.  
      Therefore, prior designs for equipment carriers suffer various drawbacks. Furthermore, many designs only accommodate specific sporting components. For example, various snowboard or wakeboard carriers are not suitable for use with other sporting equipment.  
      Accordingly, there is a need for an equipment carrier that solves some or all of the above-noted problems.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed to an adjustable belt for carrying sporting equipment, such as skis, poles and accessories. The adjustable belt includes an elongated flexible strap. First and second holding members are releasably attached to opposite ends of the strap. Each holding member includes a flexible pad having first and second ends. At least one ridged belt extends outwardly from the first end and at least one ratcheting buckle is proximate the second end. The ridged belt is received and releasably secured within the ratcheting buckle so that the pad forms a loop having an adjustable diameter by operation of the ratcheting buckle.  
      An adjustable belt for carrying sporting equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an elongated flexible strap- a plurality of spaced snap hooks attached to the strap, and first and second flexible holding members releasably attached to opposite ends of the strap via swivel clasps. The swivel clasps allow each holding member to rotate 360° relative to the strap. Each holding member includes a flexible elongated pad having first and second ends. A pair of ridged belts extend outwardly from the first end. A pair of ratcheting buckles are proximate the second end. Each ridged belt is received and releasably secured within a corresponding ratcheting buckle so that the pad forms a loop having an adjustable diameter by operation of the ratcheting buckles.  
      The present invention also relates to a method of carrying skiing equipment. First and second holding members are provided. Each holding member is releasably attached to opposite ends of a flexible strap via swivel clasps that allow each holding member to rotate 360° relative to the strap. Each holding member has a flexible elongated pad with first and second ends. A pair of ridged belts extends outwardly from the first end and a pair of ratcheting buckles are proximate the second end. The first holding member is wrapped around a front end of a pair of skis and poles until the first holding member pad encircles the front end. The first holding member ridged belts are then fed into the corresponding ratcheting buckles. The first holding member pad is tightened around the skis by operating the ratcheting buckles. The second holding member pad is wrapped around a back end of the pair of skis and poles until the second holding member pad encircles the back end. The second holding member ridged belts are fed into the corresponding ratcheting buckles. The second holding member pad is tightened around the skis by operating the ratcheting buckles.  
      The present invention also relates to an adjustable belt for carrying sporting equipment. The adjustable belt includes at least one strap, first and second holding members disposed at opposite ends of the strap to releasably attach to opposite ends of the sporting equipment, each holding member including a pad having first and second ends, a belt extending from the first end of the pad, and a ratcheting buckle disposed on the pad between the first and second ends thereof. The belt is looped over the second end of the pad and releasably secured in the ratcheting buckle such that the pad forms a loop having a size that is adjustable based on operation of the ratcheting buckle.  
      The present invention also relates to an adjustable belt system, including a first elongated strap, a second elongated strap, a first adjustable loop holding member attached to a first end of the first and second elongated straps, and a second adjustable loop holding member attached to a second end of the first and second elongated straps, wherein the first and second elongated straps extend in parallel between the first and second holding members.  
      The present invention also relates to an adjustable loop holding member usable with a sport equipment carrying device having an elongated flexible strap. The adjustable loop holding member includes an elongated body having first and second ends, a belt extending from the first end of the body, a guide loop disposed at the second end of the body, a ratcheting buckle disposed on the body having an input end facing the guide loop and an output end facing away from the guide loop, the input end to receive the belt from the guide loop such that the belt is secured therein by a clamping portion of the ratcheting buckle to configure the body as a loop, and a ring disposed on the body to removably connect to the elongated flexible strap.  
      The present invention also relates to a method of using an adjustable belt system for carrying sporting equipment. The method includes providing the adjustable belt system having at least one strap with first and second holding members disposed at opposite ends of the strap to releasably attach to opposite sides of the sporting equipment, each holding member including a pad having first and second ends, a belt extending from the first end of the pad, and a ratcheting buckle disposed on the pad between the first and second ends thereof, the belt being looped over the second end of the pad and releasably securable in the ratcheting buckle such that the pad forms a loop having a size that is adjustable based on operation of the ratcheting buckle. The method further includes coupling the first and second holding members to the opposite sides of the sporting equipment, respectively, by connecting the respective belts to the corresponding ratcheting buckles and tightening the ratcheting buckles until the sporting equipment is secured, and carrying the sporting equipment by the at least one strap. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view an adjustable belt system according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the system shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a holding member;  
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the system shown in  FIG. 1  with a holding member in a closed position;  
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the system shown in  FIG. 4  with the holding member viewed from a second orientation;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the system shown in  FIG. 1  with a pair of skis secured in the holding members;  
       FIG. 7  is an elevational view of the system shown in  FIG. 1  in a compact orientation, viewed next to a deck of standard playing cards for size comparison;  
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of an adjustable belt system according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 9A  is a top plan view of a holding member of the adjustable belt system of  FIG. 8 ;  
       FIG. 9B  is a bottom plan view of a holding member of the adjustable belt system of  FIG. 8 ;  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a holding member of the adjustable belt system of  FIG. 8 ;  
       FIG. 11  is a fragmentary top plan view of an adjustable belt system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 12  is a sectional view of a holding member of the adjustable belt system of  FIG. 11  shown along line A-A in  FIG. 11 ;  
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a holding member of the adjustable belt system of  FIG. 11 ;  
       FIG. 14  is a side view of an adjustable belt system with a snowboard secured therein according to an embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 15  is a plan view of an adjustable belt system with a snowboard secured therein according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      An adjustable belt system  10  for carrying sporting equipment according to the present invention is best shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  4  and  5 . System  10  includes an elongated flexible strap  12  having first and second opposite ends  14 ,  16 , and first and second holding members  18 ,  20  releasably attached to ends  14 ,  16 , respectively.  
      As best shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , each holding member  18 ,  20  includes a flexible elongated pad  22  having first and second major surfaces  23 ,  25  and first and second ends  24 ,  26 . Pad  22  may include a stiffened cotton skeleton encased in a water-excluding, sealed nylon sleeve, such as Cordura® ballistic nylon from E.I. DuPont of Wilmington, Del. Alternatively, pad  22  may be formed from a flexible polymer material. A high-density closed cell-foam may be attached to the inner surface of pad  22 , so that second major surface  25  is cushioned.  
      Pad  22  preferably has a substantially rectangular configuration with rounded end corners C when flat. First and second ridged flexible belts  28 ,  30 , preferably made from a suitable polymer, are attached to first major surface  23  of pad  22  proximate first end  24 , and extend outwardly in spaced parallel relation from first end  24 . Belts  28 ,  30  may be attached to pad  22  using rivets R or some other suitable fastener. Alternatively, belts  28 ,  30  may be adhesively bonded to pad  22 . Belts  28 ,  30  extend a uniform distance from first end  24 .  
      First and second ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34  are attached to first major surface  23  of pad  22  proximate second end  26 . Ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34  may be attached to pad  22  using rivets R or some other suitable fastener. Alternatively, they may be adhesively bonded thereto. As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , ridged belts  28 ,  30  may be received and releasably secured within ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34 , respectively, so that pad  22  forms a loop for encircling a piece of sports equipment. In that orientation, second major surface  25  contacts with a portion of the equipment. Such ratcheting buckles are operatively associated with a ridged strap are commercially available from M2 of Winooski, Vt. The resulting loop formed by pad  22  has a diameter that is adjustable by operation of ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34  and cooperating belts  28 ,  30 .  
      Preferably, second major surface  25  has a surface that will not scratch the equipment being secured. Furthermore, the equipment is protected from ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34  and ridged belts  28 ,  30  because these components are disposed outwardly on first major surface  23  and do not contact and/or rub against the equipment when holding members  18 ,  20  are secured around the equipment. Second major surface  25  may include rubber pads or have a textured surface that grips the equipment, so that rotation or movement of the equipment when encircled by pad  22  is minimized, even if the user does not fully tighten ridged belts  28 ,  30  within ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34 .  
      Pad  22  should have a sufficient width and length for encircling a piece of sporting equipment with which system  10  is to be used. Preferably, the width of pad  22  is greater than the width of strap  12 . Pads  22 , having a relatively large width compared to the width of the strap  12 , provide additional support for securing the equipment. In addition, such pads  22  are less likely to slide against the equipment, which may otherwise potentially scratch the equipment or cause the equipment to become loosened therein. Pads  22  should also have a sufficient length so that pads  22  may be easily wrapped around the equipment being secured. For example, pads  22  may be sufficiently sized to encircle a pair of skis and poles S, as best shown in  FIG. 6 . Pad  22  of first holding member  18  is wrapped around the skis and poles S proximate a front end thereof, and pad  22  of second holding member  20  is wrapped around the skis and poles S proximate a rear end thereof. Ridged belts  28 ,  30  are aligned with and received in ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34 . Belts  28 ,  30  are pulled into and through ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34  by operation of ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34 . This decreases the diameter of the loop formed by pad  22 , thereby tightening the encircled pad  22  against the equipment. Ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34  include a release which disengages the mechanism from the ridges on ridged belts  28 ,  30 . Upon actuation of the release, belts  28 ,  30  may be slid from ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34 . This increases the diameter of the loop formed by pad  22 , thereby loosening pad  22  from the skis and poles S. Belts  28 ,  30  may be completely disengaged from ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34  to remove holding member  18  and/or  20  from the equipment.  
      Holding members  18 ,  20  are releasably attached to ends  14 ,  16  via swivel clasps  36 , as best shown in  FIG. 3 . A ring  38  is attached to pad  22 , preferably intermediate belts  28 ,  30  and ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34 . Swivel clasps  36  are attached to ends  14 ,  16  and releasably attach to rings  38 . Swivel clasps  36  include two portions attached at a freely rotating attachment point which allow holding members  18 ,  20  to rotate 360° relative to strap  12  when attached to rings  38 .  
      Pads  22  may be secured around skis and poles S, and thereafter holding members  18 ,  20  clipped to strap  12 . In this way, each holding member  18  may be secured to the equipment without strap  12  and the other holding member  20  getting in the way of the user. However, even if holding members  18 , 20  are attached to strap  12  when securing pads  22  around skis S, holding members  18 ,  20  may rotate relative to strap  12  due to swivel clasps  36 . Thus, strap  12  and holding members  18 ,  20  do not become tangled even if one or both of holding members  18 ,  20  are rotated while securing pads  22  around skis S. Thus, the orientation of strap  12  may be maintained even if securing pads  22  are rotated while the user is carrying the secured equipment, or if the user rotates one or both of securing pads  22  to adjust their orientation or the orientation of the equipment. Otherwise, such rotation would cause twisting and tangling of the components.  
      Strap  12  preferably includes a buckle  40  for adjusting the length of strap  12 . For example, buckle  40  may be a plastic or metal slider buckle. Alternatively, strap  12  could include first and second portions which are joined together by male and female members of a conventional slide release buckle, wherein the length of one or both of the portions of the strap  12  may be adjusted by the corresponding member of the slide release buckle. It should be understood that strap  12  may include any suitable buckle  40  for adjusting its length. Strap  12  may also include a shoulder cushion  42 , which is preferably slidably secured to strap  12  so that a user can adjust the position of cushion  42  along strap  12 . One or more snap hooks  44  may be attached to strap  12 . Snap hooks  44  may be secured to strap  12  in a fixed position, or slidably secured to strap  12 . Additional equipment may be clipped onto snap hooks  44 . For example, skis and poles S may be secured within holding members  18 ,  20 . The user may then attach a helmet, gloves, goggles, or other accessories to strap  12  by clipping such accessories to snap hooks  44 . Thus, all of a user&#39;s equipment may be conveniently carried by system  10 .  
      Depending on the particularly equipment to be carried by system  10 , additional holding members may be clipped onto strap  12 . For example, two or more holding members may be clipped to the same swivel clasp  36  on a corresponding end  14  and/or  16 . Alternatively, two or more swivel clasps  36  may be provided on each end  14 ,  16 , with each swivel clasp  36  being releasably attached to a corresponding holding member. For example, three holding members may be clipped onto each of ends  14 ,  16 , allowing the user to carry three pairs of skis and poles, along with other accessories via snap hooks  44 .  
      Strap  12  and holding members  18 ,  20  are preferably formed from light-weight materials, so that adjustable belt system  10  is relatively light weight. System  10  is relatively compact, and may be easily fit in most jacket pockets when not in use. Strap  12  may be folded, with first holding member  18  encircling strap  12  and second holding member  20  encircling first holding member  18 , thereby reducing system  10  to a size only slightly larger than a deck of standard playing cards D, as best shown in  FIG. 7 . Thus, system  10  may be easily collapsed and carried by the user. For example, a skier may easily carry system  10  in his or her pocket while skiing. System  10  is then readily accessible. For example, if the skier needed to walk down the mountain, the skies, poles and other accessories could be easily carried by system  10 , allowing the skier to walk down the mountain ‘hands free’. Further, a skier could walk to the chair lift, lodge, etc. with his or her hands free of carrying equipment, and disengage the skis, poles and other equipment when required. As such, system  10  would reduce the amount of equipment cluttered around drop-off points at ski lodges. Thus, system  10  allows the user to easily transport sporting equipment hands free. The present invention may be particularly helpful for individuals with arthritis or other ailments of the wrists and hands, which limit their ability to carrying equipment by hand.  
      It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in construction or configuration of the previous embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, an embodiment of holding members  18 ,  20  has been described wherein each holding member includes a separate pad  22  having first and second ridged belts  28 ,  30  and first and second ratcheting buckles  32 ,  34 . However, pad  22  may also include only one ridged belt operatively associated with one ratcheting buckle. Alternatively, a ridged belt may be provided having a ratcheting buckle attached to one end thereof, wherein the free end of the ridged belt would be looped around and through the ratcheting buckle. In this way, pad  22  would be eliminated.  
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of an adjustable belt system  100  according to another embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , the system  100  includes a pair of holding members  118  and  120  attached to opposite ends of a flexible strap  112 . The flexible strap  112  may have a buckle  140  to adjust the length of the strap  112 . For example, the buckle  140  may be a plastic or metal slider buckle. Strap  112  may also include a shoulder cushion  142 , which may be slidably secured to strap  112  so that a user can adjust the position of cushion  142  along strap  112 . The flexible strap  112  may further include at least one snap hook  144 . The snap hooks  144  may be secured to the strap  112  in a fixed position, or slidably secured to strap  112 . Additional equipment may be clipped onto snap hooks  144 . The strap  112  may be made of a cloth material.  
      The system  100  further includes swivel clasps  136  by which the strap  112  is removably attached to the holding members  118  and  120 . Accordingly, the holding members  118  and  120  can rotate  360  degrees with respect to the strap  1   2  to avoid tangling or twisting.  
      The holding members  118  and  120  include a pad having a top major surface  123  and a bottom major surface  125  (not illustrated in  FIG. 8 ). A belt  151  extends from a first end of the pad  123 . The holding members  118  and  120  also include a guide loop  153  disposed at a second end of the pad ( 123 ,  125 ) and a ratcheting buckle  132  disposed between the swivel clasp  136  and the belt  151 . The ratcheting buckle  132  includes an input end  132 A that receives an end of the belt  151  and an output end  132 B through which the belt  151  passes when it is secured by the ratcheting buckle  132 .  
      The pad ( 123 ,  125 ) of the holding member  118  and/or  120  may be made of a cloth material. For example, the pad  123  may be a water-excluding, sealed nylon sleeve, such as Cordura® ballistic nylon from E.I. DuPont of Wilmington, Del. A stiffened cotton member is disposed in the sealed nylon sleeve to provide a stiffening characteristic.  
      The pad ( 123 ,  125 ) includes a first Velcro® fastening portion  155  (e.g., Velcro® loop fasteners or Velcro® hook fasteners) disposed on the top major surface  123  adjacent to the guide loop  153 .  
       FIG. 9A  is a top plan view of the holding member  118  and/or  120  of the adjustable belt system  100  of  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 9B  is a bottom plan view of the holding member  118  and/or  120  of the adjustable belt system  100  of  FIG. 8 .  
      As best shown in  FIG. 9A , the holding member  118  and/or  120  includes the pad ( 123 ,  125 ), the belt  151  extending from the pad ( 123 ,  125 ), the ratcheting buckle  132 , the first Velcro® fastening portion  155 , and the guide loop  153 . The guide loop  153  may be a cloth loop attached to an end of the pad ( 123 ,  125 ) through which the belt  151  passes when the pad ( 123 ,  125 ) is configured as a loop by moving the belt  151  around to the input end  132 A of the ratcheting buckle  132 .  
      The holding member  118  and/or  120  further includes a ring  138  coupled to the pad ( 123 ,  125 ) via a cloth loop  139 . The ring  138  may be a D-ring, which is coupled to the swivel clasp  136  (see  FIG. 8 ).  
      Referring to  FIG. 9B , the holding member  118  and/or  120  includes the bottom major surface  125  having a second Velcro® fastening portion  157  disposed adjacent to where the belt  151  extends from the bottom major surface  125 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the holding member  118  and/or  120  can be configured as a loop by securing the belt  151  in the ratcheting buckle  132 . In particular, the bottom portion of the belt  151  is moved over the top major surface  123  of the holding member  118  and/or  120 , through the guide loop  153 , through the ring  138 , and into the input end  132 A of the ratcheting buckle  132 .  
      The second Velcro® fastening portion  157  is fastened to the first Velcro® fastening portion  155  when the belt  151  is guided through the guide loop  153  to the ratcheting buckle  132 . The first and second Velcro fastening portions  155  and  157  provide additional stability to the loop formed by the holding member  118  and/or  120 .  
      The ratcheting buckle  132  can be used to adjust the size of the loop. Specifically, the ratcheting buckle  132  has a clamping portion that is clamped down on the belt  151  to secure the belt  151  therein. The belt  151  may be received and releasably secured within ratcheting buckle  132  so that the pad ( 123 ,  125 ) forms a loop for encircling a piece of sports equipment. In that orientation, the bottom major surface  125  contacts with a portion of the equipment. The resulting loop formed by pad ( 123 ,  125 ) has a diameter that is adjustable by operation of the ratcheting buckle  132  and the cooperating belt  151 .  
      The belt  151  is aligned with and received in the ratcheting buckle  132 . The belt  151  is pulled into and through ratcheting buckle  1   32  by operation thereof. This decreases the diameter of the loop formed by pad ( 123 ,  125 ), thereby tightening the encircled pad ( 123 ,  125 ) against the equipment. The ratcheting buckle  132  includes a release which disengages the mechanism from the belt  151 . Upon actuation of the release, the belt  151  may be slid from ratcheting buckle  132 . This increases the diameter of the loop formed by the pad ( 123 ,  125 ), thereby loosening the pad ( 123 ,  125 ) from the sporting equipment. The belt  151  may be completely disengaged from the ratcheting buckle  132  to remove the holding member  118  and/or  120  from the equipment.  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the holding member  118  and/or  120  of the adjustable belt system  100  of  FIG. 8 . The holding member  118  and/or  120  illustrated in  FIG. 10  is configured as a loop. In particular, a bottom portion of the belt  151  is wrapped around to the top major surface  123  of the holding member  118  and/or  120  through the ring  138  and further through the input end  132 A of the ratcheting buckle  132  and out through the output end  132 B of the ratcheting buckle  132 .  
      Sporting equipment can be secured in the loop holding member  118  and/or  120  and is contacted by the bottom major surface  125  of the holding member  118  and/or  120 . The sporting equipment may be skis, skis and poles, a snowboard, a surfboard, a wakeboard, etc. The adjustable belt system  100  allows a user to carry the sporting equipment on their shoulder without using their hands. As a result, the user&#39;s hands are free to carry other items.  
       FIG. 11  illustrates an adjustable belt system  200  according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 11 , the adjustable belt system  200  is fragmented at a flexible strap  212  for illustration purposes. The adjustable belt system  200  is usable to carry sporting equipment. As best seen in  FIG. 11 , the adjustable belt system  200  includes holding members  218  and  220  attached to ends of a flexible strap  212  via swivel clasps  236 . The swivel clasps  236  allow the holding members  218  and  220  to rotate 360 degrees with respect to the strap  212 . As a result, the strap  212  does not get twisted or tangled when the sporting equipment and the holding members  218  and  220  rotate.  
      In  FIG. 11 , the holding member  218  is shown from a top view, while the holding member  220  is shown from a bottom view. Each of the holding members  218  and  220  include a body having a top major surface  223  and a bottom major surface  225 . The holding members  218  and  220  also include a ring  238  coupled to the body ( 223 ,  225 ) by which the swivel clasps  236  of the strap  212  are removably connected to the respective holding members  218  and  220 .  
      The holding members  218  and  220  also have a belt  228  extending from a first end thereof (i.e., downward in  FIG. 11 ) and a guide slit  253  formed in a second end thereof opposite from the first end. The guide slit  253  guides the belt  228  around to a ratcheting buckle  232  disposed on the top major surface  223  adjacent to the guide slit  253 .  
      The ratcheting buckle  232  includes an input end  232 A which receives the belt  228  and an output end  232 B which outputs the belt  228 . The ratcheting buckle  232  can secure the belt  228  therein in order to configure the body ( 223 ,  225 ) of the holding members  218  and  220  as a loop having an adjustable size. The size of the loop can be adjusted simply by varying the position of the belt  228  extended through the ratcheting buckle  232 . Specifically, the ratcheting buckle  232  has a clamping portion that is clamped down on the belt  228  to secure the belt  228  therein.  
      The belt  228  may be received and releasably secured within ratcheting buckle  132  so that the body ( 223 ,  225 ) forms a loop for encircling a piece of sports equipment. In that orientation, the bottom major surface  225  contacts with a portion of the equipment. Such ratcheting buckles which are operatively associated with a ridged strap are commercially available from M2 of Winooski, Vt. The resulting loop formed by the body ( 223 ,  225 ) has a diameter that is adjustable by operation of the ratcheting buckle  232  and the cooperating belt  228 .  
      The belt  228  is aligned with and received in the ratcheting buckle  232 . The belt  228  is pulled into and through ratcheting buckle  232  by operation thereof. This decreases the diameter of the loop formed by the body ( 223 ,  225 ), thereby tightening the encircled body ( 223 ,  225 ) against the equipment. The ratcheting buckle  232  includes a release which disengages the mechanism from the belt  228 . Upon actuation of the release, belt  228  may be slid from the ratcheting buckle  232 . This increases the diameter of the loop formed by the body ( 223 ,  225 ), thereby loosening the holding member  218  and/or  220  from the sporting equipment. The belt  228  may be completely disengaged from the ratcheting buckle  232  to remove the holding member  118  and/or  120  from the equipment.  
      As can be seen in  FIG. 11 , the belt  228  may have ridges by which the clamping portion of the ratcheting buckle  232  grips the belt  228 .  
      The body ( 223 ,  225 ) of the holding member  218  and/or  220  may have an elongated shape with a width that gradually decreases from a portion having the ring  238  and the ratcheting buckle  232  to a portion where the belt  228  is located. The body ( 223 ,  225 ) of the holding member  218  and/or  220  may be made of a suitable polymer (e.g., a hard flexible plastic material).  
      In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the body ( 223 ,  225 ) of the holding members  218  and  220  may be made of Hytrel® material, polyurethane material, or Laripur® material.  
      The body ( 223 ,  225 ) of the holding member  218  and/or  220  may be formed integrally with the belt  228  and the guide slit  253 . Alternatively, the belt  228  may be attached to the body ( 223 ,  225 ) at the first end of the holding member  218  and/or  220 . In this case, the belt  228  may be attached to the body ( 223 ,  225 ) using a rivet, a screw, or some other suitable fastener. In another exemplary embodiment, the belt  228  may be adhesively bonded to the body ( 223 ,  225 ) of the holding member  218  and/or  220 .  
       FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the holding member  218  and/or  220  of the adjustable belt system  200  of  FIG. 11  shown along line A-A.  
      As can be seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the holding member  218  and/or  220  may further include a soft contact pad  255  disposed on the bottom major surface  225  thereof. The soft contact pad  255  contacts the sporting equipment and prevents scratching. The soft contact pad  255  may be a high-density closed cell-foam so that the bottom major surface  225  is cushioned. The soft contact pad  255  may be made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).  
      Additionally, the soft contact pad  255  includes a recess  257  in which a rivet  240  is accommodated. That is, the recess  257  in the soft contact pad  255  accommodates the rivet  240  used to bind the ratcheting buckle  232  to the body ( 223 ,  225 ) such that the rivet  240  is prevented from making contact with a surface of the sporting equipment. In other words, the soft contact pad  255  is made to have a thickness such that rivet  240  is prevented from extending beyond a surface of the soft contact pad  255 .  
      Also as seen in  FIG. 12 , the ratcheting buckle  232  includes a pivoting element  234  about which the clamping portion pivots to engage the belt  228  (not illustrated in  FIG. 12 ). The ratcheting buckle  232  may include a biasing element that biases the clamping portion about the pivoting element  234  toward a closed position.  
      Additionally, the body ( 223 ,  225 ) of the holding member  218  and/or  220  includes a notch  239  formed therein to accommodate a portion of the ring  238 .  
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the holding member  218  and/or  220  of the adjustable belt system  200  of  FIG. 11 . As best seen in  FIG. 13 , the belt  228  is moved through the guide slit  253  over the top major surface  223  and through the ratcheting buckle  232  to form a loop. The ratcheting buckle  232  secures the belt  228  therein by clamping down. The size of the loop is adjustable by adjusting the position of the belt  228  in the ratcheting buckle  232 .  
       FIG. 14  is a side view of an adjustable belt system  300  with sporting equipment  370  secured therein according to an embodiment of the present invention. As best seen in  FIG. 14 , the sporting equipment  370  may be a snowboard including a first binding  374  and a second binding  372  disposed thereon.  
      The adjustable belt system  300  includes a flexible strap  312  with a first holding member  318  and a second holding member  320  removably connected thereto via swivel clasps  336 . Although the first and second holding members  318  and  320  are illustrated as being arranged outside the first and second bindings  374  and  372 , respectively, it should be understood that the first and second holding members  318  and  320  may be arranged at other positions on the sporting equipment  370 .  
      The flexible strap  312  includes one or more snap hooks  344 , which can be connected to other various items (e.g., gloves, a helmet, etc.), a buckle  340  usable to adjust the length of the flexible strap  312 , and a movable shoulder cushion  342 .  
      As can be seen in  FIG. 14 , the sporting equipment  370  can be secured in the loop holding member  318  and/or  320 . The adjustable belt system  300  allows a user to carry the sporting equipment  370  on their shoulder without using their hands. As a result, the user&#39;s hands are free to carry other items.  
       FIG. 15  is a plan view of an adjustable belt system  400  with sporting equipment  470  secured therein according to another embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 14 , the sporting equipment  470  may be a snowboard (similar to the snowboard  370  of  FIG. 13 ).  
      Here, the system  400  includes a first holding member  418  having a pair of rings  448  disposed thereon and a second holding member  420  having a pair of rings  448  disposed thereon. The rings  448  may be oriented along a lengthwise direction of the holding members  418  and  420 . A first flexible strap  413  is removably connected to loops  448  on each of the first and second holding members  418  and  420 . A second flexible strap  412  is removably connected to loops  448  on each of the first and second holding members  418  and  420 .  
      The first and second flexible straps  413  and  412  are arranged in parallel with one another such that the adjustable weight system  400  with the sporting equipment  470  can be worn on a user&#39;s back, in a similar manner to a backpack. In particular, the user may place the first strap  413  over the right shoulder and the second strap  412  over the left shoulder such that the sporting equipment  470  is suspended on the user&#39;s back. A flat surface of the sporting equipment  470  (e.g., the side of the snowboard without bindings) can rest along the user&#39;s back.  
      Additionally, the first and second straps  413  and  412  each have buckles  440  that can adjust the lengths of the respective straps  413  and  412 . In this manner, the user can adjust the system  400  to be worn comfortably according to their particular height and body shape.  
      The first and second straps  413  and  412  may be connected to the first and second holding members  418  and  420  via swivel clasps  446  such that the holding members  418  and  420  are rotatable 360 degrees with respect to each of the straps  413  and  412 .  
      The holding members  418  and  420  may be similar to the holding members of any of the previous embodiments, and may be made from cloth or hard plastic.  
      It should be understood that although the holding members of the previous embodiments are described as being a cloth material or a hard flexible plastic, the holding members may alternatively be made of other materials. For example, the holding members may be made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber).  
      Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents