GB2346171A

GB2346171A - Strap for carrying ski poles comprising a flexible clamp and belt clip

Info

Publication number: GB2346171A
Application number: GB9901551A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven John Thorne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-01-26
Filing date: 1999-01-26
Publication date: 2000-08-02
Also published as: GB9901551D0

Abstract

The strap 10 comprises a clip 12 for attaching to a belt, and a clamp 14 for frictionally engaging a pair of ski poles. In the embodiment shown, the clamp comprises a neoprene rubber moulding with two jaws 18,20 which include cylindrical grooves for receiving the ski pole shafts, and a flap 28 of flexible material that engages with the jaw 20 using a releasable fastetener, such as Velcro (RTM), to enable the clamp to be tightened securely.

Description

ST ; RAP Field of the invention The present invention relates to a strap.

Background of the invention When using a chair lift, it is necessary skiers to keep a hold on their ski poles. If. a skier should need to use his hands for any other purposX, the ski poles need to be put down and it is not unknown on such occasions for them to fall off the chair lift.

Summary of the invention With a view to mitigating the foregoing disadvantage, the present invention provides ; in accordance with a first aspect a strap having a clip fr fitting to a belt and a clamp made of a soft material 4or frictionally engaging a pair of ski poles.

It is important that the clamp be made of a soft material because the strap remains attached to the skier and it should not cause any harm in, the event of a fall.

It should also be possible to release and tighten the clamp easily about the ski poles as this will need to be done by a skier wearing gloves.. To this end, it is preferred for the clamp to comprise a moulding of an elastomeric material and flap of flexible material that can compress the moulding to grip the ski poles.

The flap is preferably fitted with a releasable fastening such as Velcro @ so that it may be simply tightened about the moulding and released.

Preferably, the strap and the flap are made of a waterproof material such as nylon.

Conveniently, the belt clip is a G-clip (as used for example in key rings) made of a plastics material for lightness and safety.

In accordance with an alternative aspect of the invention, the invention provides a method of preventing the loss of ski poles which comprises fitting a clamp made of a soft material about the ski poles and attaching the clamp to the clothing of the skier by means of a strap.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a ski pole strap of the invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments The drawing shows a strap 10 made of nylon. At one end, the strap 10 is fitted with a nylon G-clip 12 by means of which it can be attached to a skier's belt or another suitable item of clothing.

At its other end, the strap 10 it fitted with a clamp that is generally designated 14 for gripping two ski poles.

The clamp 14 comprises a neoprene moulding 16 that can be regarded as made of two jaws 18,20. The jaws are permanently attached to one another along their left hand edge 22, as viewed, to form a hinge and are separated from one another along the right hand edge 24 to allow the ski poles to be introduced between the jaws of the clamp 14. Each of the jaws has two part cylindrical grooves 26 for receiving the shafts of the ski poles.

After the ski poles have been located between the jaws of the clamp 14, it is necessAry to tighten the clamp 14 in manner that can be carried out by a skier wearing gloves.

This is effected by means of flap 28 that is wrapped around the clamp 14 and can bq pulled tight to compress the clamp 14 about the shafts of the ski poles. The flap 28 is fitted with a strip of Velcro @ 30 to hold it in any position. The use of such a releasable fastener is preferred as it allows infinie adjustment of the clamp 14 enabling it to be used with all sizes of ski poles. Of course, other fastening means used for tightening of belts and straps may alternatively be employed.

The advantage of the described strap is that it contains no hard components that can injure the skier in the even of a fall. The strap is also very light so that it does not inconvenience the skier when it is not in use.

When the skier needs to use his hands without risking loss of the ski poles, the poles are placed in the clamp 14 and the flap 28 is used to tighten the clamp 14 around the shafts of the poles to hold them firmly. The skier is then free to use his hands in the knowledge that the ski poles are safely anchored to his belt or clothing.

Claims

1. A strap having a clip for fitting to a belt and a clamp made of a soft material for frictionally engaging a pair of ski poles.

2. A strap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises a moulding of an elastomeric material and flap of flexible material that can compress the moulding to grip the ski poles.

3. A strap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flap is preferably fitted with a releasable fastening so that it may be simply tightened about the moulding and released.

4. A strap as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the strap and the flap are made of a waterproof material, such as nylon.

5. A strap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the belt clip is a G-clip made of a plastics material.

6. A method of preventing the loss of ski poles which comprises fitting a clamp made of a soft material about the ski poles and attaching the clamp to the clothing of the skier by means of a strap.

7. A ski pole strap constructed substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.