Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a system for carrying skis, in particular, for fixing and transporting skis on the back of an athlete.

Ski mountaineering is a sporting activity, even competitive, consisting of climbing snowy slopes, with skis on or over the shoulders.

This involves the need, for an athlete practicing such activity, to take off and transport the skis during the journeys on foot, and to reattach them when desired.

For this purpose it is known for athletes to have ski rack systems adapted to support the skis when not in use.

Such ski rack systems generally comprise a frame, a pair of shoulder straps, and means for supporting and fixing the skis, in particular, at the back of the athlete.

Known skis supporting and fixing means comprise a lower ski rack support, configured as a semi-rigid annular cord, inside which a lower portion of the pair of skis is inserted and supported.

Such means further comprise an upper ski rack support, configured as a hook adapted to couple an upper portion of the pair of skis.

Thereby, the pair of skis is supported and fixed on the ski rack by means of the lower and upper ski rack supports, so that the athlete may carry the skis on the back when not in use.

Such known ski rack systems, even though they are suitable for supporting and fixing a pair of skis, have drawbacks.

One of these drawbacks is given by the fact that the upper ski rack, when not in use or when not coupled to the pair of skis, dangles with the risk of getting caught between the belts of the ski rack system.

Furthermore, always when the upper ski rack is not coupled to the pair of skis, the upper ski rack may not be immediately handled by the athlete, who, especially in a competitive environment, loses precious seconds to look for it and then handle it. Even more time is wasted when the upper ski rack is caught in the ski rack system, since it is necessary, first of all, to untangle it from the ski rack system to then be able to handle it.

The prior art document "Entdecke jetzt <NUM> schlaue und einzigartige Features unserer Rucksäcke: DYNAFIT" (YouTube) describes a skis transport system which may be worn on the shoulders and which includes a hook at the upper portion of one of the shoulder straps connected by means of an elastic return element extending inside a guide duct formed by a covering and the shoulder strap itself.

The prior art document <CIT> describes a ski rack system comprising a lower ring portion, through which to insert the end of the skis.

The prior art document <CIT> describes a backpack system for transporting rackets which comprises a first ring at the upper portion of a first shoulder strap and a second ring at the lower portion of a second shoulder strap.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a system for carrying skis having such features as to avoid at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a system for carrying skis which does not get caught in the ski rack system worn by the athlete.

It is a further particular object of the present invention to provide a system for carrying skis, allowing a pair of skis to be supported by and fastened to the ski rack system, which is fast, easy and comfortable.

It is a further particular object of the present invention to provide a system for carrying skis which allows a more rapid support and fastening of a pair of skis to the ski rack system.

These and other objects are achieved by means of a system for carrying skis according to claim <NUM>.

Dependent claims relate to preferred and advantageous embodiments.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given below by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

With reference to the figures, a ski rack system is generally indicated with reference numeral <NUM>.

The system for carrying skis <NUM> is adapted to be worn over the shoulders by a user, or an athlete <NUM>, and is further configured for the transport of a pair of skis <NUM> over the shoulders.

The system for carrying skis <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM>, a first shoulder strap <NUM> and a second shoulder strap <NUM>.

The first shoulder strap <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM> are connected to the frame <NUM>.

An upper end <NUM> of the first shoulder strap <NUM> is connected to a first upper portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

A lower end <NUM> of the first shoulder strap <NUM> is connected to a first lower portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

An upper end <NUM> of the second shoulder strap <NUM> is connected to a second upper portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

A lower end <NUM> of the second shoulder strap <NUM> is connected to a second lower portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

The system for carrying skis <NUM> further comprises a lower ski rack support <NUM>, positioned at the first lower portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

The system for carrying skis <NUM> further comprises an upper ski rack support <NUM>, positioned at the second shoulder strap <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the invention, the upper ski rack support <NUM> comprises a hook <NUM> elastically connected to the second shoulder strap <NUM> by means of an elastic return element <NUM>.

Furthermore, a covering <NUM> is connected to the second shoulder strap <NUM>, so that the covering <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM> delimit a guide duct <NUM> extending from the upper end <NUM> to the lower end <NUM> of the second shoulder strap <NUM>, i.e., in the direction of the length of the second shoulder strap <NUM>.

Furthermore, the elastic return element <NUM> extends through the guide duct <NUM> formed by the covering <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM>.

Advantageously, thereby, the elastic return element <NUM> and the hook <NUM> connected thereto are constrained to the second shoulder strap <NUM> and the elastic return element <NUM>, connected to the hook <NUM>, is therefore prevented from getting caught on the system for carrying skis <NUM> worn by the athlete <NUM>.

With a further advantage, such configuration reduces the time required to couple the pair of skis <NUM> to the system for carrying skis.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic return element <NUM> is configured as a cord, in particular a spiral cord.

According to the invention, a contrast element <NUM> is integrally connected to the covering <NUM> and to the second shoulder strap <NUM>, at the upper end <NUM> of the second shoulder strap <NUM>.

The contrast element <NUM> forms a central through hole <NUM>, through which the elastic return element <NUM> connected to the hook <NUM> extends.

In accordance with the invention, the contrast element <NUM> and the central through hole <NUM> are sized so that the elastic element <NUM> may slide inside the central through hole <NUM>, and the hook <NUM> may partially be inserted into the central through hole <NUM> but cannot cross the central through hole <NUM>.

Advantageously, thereby, the hook <NUM>, when it is not in use or when it is not fixed to the pair of skis <NUM>, is elastically constrained so as to partially extend outside the guide duct <NUM>, and therefore be readily available for the athlete <NUM> who intended to grab and handle it.

With a further advantage, when the hook <NUM> is released from the connection to the pair of skis <NUM>, the elastic return element <NUM> returns the hook <NUM> towards the contrast element <NUM>, so that the elastic hook <NUM> is partially inserted into the central through hole <NUM> and partially protrudes from the guide duct <NUM>.

Therefore, the elastic return element <NUM> independently repositions the hook <NUM>, when released from the connection to the pair of skis <NUM>.

This considerably increases the speed and the convenience of handling and using the ski rack system <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the contrast element <NUM> forms a first slot <NUM>, for the passage of first connection means <NUM> for a connection between the contrast element <NUM> and the covering <NUM>, and a second slot <NUM> for the passage of second connection means <NUM> for a connection between the contrast element <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM>.

Advantageously, the first slot <NUM> and the second slot <NUM> ensure a firm and simple connection between the contrast element <NUM> and the covering <NUM> and the second shoulder strap <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the elastic return element <NUM> slides inside a tubular covering made of a polymeric material <NUM>.

Advantageously, the polymeric material <NUM> protects the elastic return element <NUM> from any damage and/or tearing.

As for the lower ski rack support <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the invention, this comprises a rigid annular element.

The rigid annular element forms an annular opening which defines a threading direction, for threading a lower portion of the pair of skis <NUM> inside the rigid annular element.

The rigid annular element is further configured to vertically support the pair of skis <NUM>, and, in particular, to support the attachments of the pair of skis <NUM>.

Advantageously, the rigid annular element allows to insert a lower portion of the pair of skis <NUM> inside the rigid annular element along a threading direction parallel to the length direction of the pair of skis <NUM>.

According to an alternative embodiment, the lower ski rack support <NUM> comprises a support element <NUM> in the shape of an open channel and having two ends <NUM>, <NUM>'.

The support element <NUM> forms a first opening <NUM> defining a first insertion direction <NUM>.

The two ends <NUM>, <NUM>' of the support element <NUM> form a second opening <NUM> defining a second insertion direction <NUM> transversal to the first insertion direction <NUM>.

The lower ski rack support <NUM> further comprises a closing element <NUM>.

The closing element <NUM> extends between the two ends <NUM>, <NUM>' of the support element <NUM>.

The closing element <NUM> may be moved between a closing position, in which the second opening <NUM> closes, and an opening position, in which the second opening <NUM> opens.

Advantageously, a system for carrying skis <NUM> thus configured ensures an easy, comfortable and less physically challenging support and fixing of a pair of skis <NUM> to the system for carrying skis <NUM>, and, in particular, with reference to the insertion, support and fixing of a lower portion of the pair of skis <NUM>.

In fact, the possibility of introducing the pair of skis <NUM>, and, in particular, the lower portion of the pair of skis <NUM>, through the second opening <NUM> along the second insertion direction <NUM>, avoids having to lift the pair of skis <NUM> to a height from the ground higher than that at which the lower ski rack support <NUM> is located.

Furthermore, with particular reference to competitive practice, such configuration of the system for carrying skis <NUM> considerably reduces the time required to fix the pair of skis <NUM> to the ski rack system <NUM>.

The second insertion direction <NUM> is advantageously horizontal, therefore it allows to insert the pair of skis <NUM>, which extend in length along a length direction, inside the lower ski rack support <NUM> along a direction transversal to the direction of the extension in length of the pair of skis <NUM>, thus reducing the complexity, the effort and the time required to insert the pair of skis <NUM> inside the lower ski rack support <NUM>.

The first insertion direction <NUM> is vertical, therefore it is still possible to insert the pair of skis <NUM> into the lower ski rack support <NUM> also from top downwards.

The support element <NUM> of the lower ski rack support <NUM> forms a vertical support wall <NUM> configured to support the pair of skis <NUM> vertically, and, in particular, to support the attachments of the pair of skis <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the closing element <NUM> consists of a spring element <NUM>.

The spring element <NUM> is hinged to one of the two ends <NUM>, <NUM>' of the support element <NUM>, and is elastically biased against the other of the two ends <NUM>, <NUM>' of the support element <NUM>, to a closing position, so as to close the second opening <NUM>.

The spring element <NUM> is rotatable towards the interior of the lower ski rack support <NUM>, towards the opening position, so as to open the second opening <NUM>.

Advantageously, by rotating towards the inside of the second opening <NUM>, the manual movement of the spring element <NUM> is avoided to open the second opening <NUM>, which is instead opened exclusively by contact with the pair of skis <NUM>. Furthermore, after inserting the pair of skis <NUM> inside the lower ski rack support <NUM>, the spring element <NUM> automatically closes, locking the pair of skis <NUM> inside the lower ski rack support <NUM>.

According to an alternative embodiment, the spring element <NUM> is configured to rotate towards the outside of the lower ski rack support <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, when the system for carrying skis <NUM> is worn by an athlete <NUM>, the first shoulder strap <NUM> corresponds to a right shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap <NUM> corresponds to a left shoulder strap.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first shoulder strap <NUM> corresponds to the left shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap <NUM> corresponds to the right shoulder strap.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a ski backpack <NUM> comprises the system for carrying skis <NUM> described above.

The ski backpack <NUM> has two shoulder straps which correspond, respectively, to the first shoulder strap <NUM> and to the second shoulder strap <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the ski backpack <NUM> may comprise one or more housings or systems for containing and/or transporting one or more further ski mountaineering tools, such as, for example, a helmet, an ice ax, crampons, and other material useful to the sportsman or athlete.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for securing and supporting a pair of skis <NUM>, extending along a length direction, and having attachments, on the back of an athlete <NUM>, comprises the following steps:.

According to an alternative embodiment, a method for securing and supporting a pair of skis <NUM>, extending along a length direction and having attachments, on the back of an athlete <NUM>, comprises the following steps:.

Claim 1:
A system for carrying skis (<NUM>), adapted to be worn over the shoulder by an athlete (<NUM>), and configured to transport, over the shoulder, a pair of skis (<NUM>), said system for carrying skis (<NUM>) comprising:
- a frame (<NUM>);
- a first shoulder strap (<NUM>) and a second shoulder strap (<NUM>), connected to the frame (<NUM>);
wherein an upper end (<NUM>) of the first shoulder strap (<NUM>) is connected to a first upper portion (<NUM>) of the frame (<NUM>), and a lower end (<NUM>) of the first shoulder strap (<NUM>) is connected to a first lower portion (<NUM>) of the frame (<NUM>); wherein an upper end (<NUM>) of the second shoulder strap (<NUM>) is connected to a second upper portion (<NUM>) of the frame (<NUM>), and a lower end (<NUM>) of the second shoulder strap (<NUM>) is connected to a second lower portion (<NUM>) of the frame (<NUM>) ;
- a lower ski support (<NUM>), positioned at the first lower portion (<NUM>) of the frame (<NUM>);
- an upper ski support (<NUM>), positioned at the second shoulder strap (<NUM>);
wherein the upper ski support (<NUM>) comprises a hook (<NUM>) elastically connected to the second shoulder strap (<NUM>) by means of an elastic return element (<NUM>),
and wherein a covering (<NUM>) is connected to the second shoulder strap (<NUM>), so that the covering (<NUM>) and the second shoulder strap (<NUM>) delimit a guide duct (<NUM>) extending from the upper end (<NUM>) to the lower end (<NUM>) of the second shoulder strap (<NUM>),
and wherein the elastic return element (<NUM>) extends through the guide duct (<NUM>) formed by the covering (<NUM>) and the second shoulder strap (<NUM>),
and characterised in that,
a contrast element (<NUM>) is integrally connected to the covering (<NUM>) and to the second shoulder strap (<NUM>), at the upper end (<NUM>) of the second shoulder strap (<NUM>), wherein the contrast element (<NUM>) forms a central through hole (<NUM>),
wherein the elastic return element (<NUM>), connected to the hook (<NUM>), extends through the central through hole (<NUM>),
and wherein the contrast element (<NUM>) and the central through hole (<NUM>) are sized so that the elastic element (<NUM>) can slide inside the central through hole (<NUM>), and the hook (<NUM>) can partially be inserted into the central through hole (<NUM>) but cannot cross the central through hole (<NUM>).